Flood Advisory: Streams Elevated at Waiheʻe and Honokōhau

Waihee, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 10:18 p.m. 5/2/14)

A flood advisory has been extended until 11:30 p.m. for the Island of Maui, but may need to be extended beyond that if heavy rain persists, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters with the NWS say radar at 9:22 p.m. showed heavy rain near Kahakuloa, about 10 miles northwest of Kahului.

The advisory includes but is not limited to Nāpili, Kapalua, Honolua, and Honokōhau.

As a precaution, the NWS advises the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Motorists and pedestrians are reminded not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot.

(Update: 3:04 p.m. 5/2/14)

A flood advisory has been extended for the Island of Maui until 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014, according to updated information released by the National Weather Service.

The agency is reporting rainfall rates have dropped to under 1 inch per hour from previous rates of 1-2 inches reported earlier this afternoon.

Shortly before 2:45 p.m., NWS forecasters say radar showed heavy rain beginning to taper off over the West Maui Mountains.  

Stream gauges, which had risen to four feet at the Waiheʻe River and Honokōhau Stream, remained elevated from previous rains, the NWS reports.

(Original Post: 5/2/14)

Stream gauges at Waiheʻe River and Honokōhau Stream rose to about four feet this afternoon, according to an updated flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

According to the agency, radar shortly before 1 p.m. showed rain falling at rates of between 1 and 2 inches per hour.

Areas showing heavy rainfall include the West Maui Mountains, Kapalua, Kahakuloa, Honolua, and Honokōhau, according to radar observations by the National Weather Service.

A flood advisory remains in effect for the Island of Maui until 3 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014.