Kīhei Flood Aftermath: Cleanup of Muddy Mess

Crews worked into the early afternoon on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 to clean up mud and debris that had accumulated along South Kīhei Road as the result of flash flooding on Tuesday.

The flood sent a river of water a few feet deep across the heavily traveled thoroughfare between Kaonoulu and Kūlanihākoʻi Streets.  At least seven individuals were rescued by Maui firefighters when they became stranded during the incident.

Maui police closed South Kīhei Road near Kaonoulu Street for about four hours today between 8:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. while crews worked to remove mud and pressure wash normally manicured areas.

Crews were also observed working to clear debris from nearby properties affected by the flooding, including the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary located on the makai side of South Kīhei Road where heavy flooding was reported on Tuesday afternoon.

Maui remains under a flood watch, and another flood advisory was posted by the National Weather Service for Maui on Wednesday afternoon.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary cleanup, March 8, 2017. Photos courtesy of Shari Paver.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary cleanup, March 8, 2017. Photos courtesy of Shari Paver.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary cleanup, March 8, 2017. Photos courtesy of Shari Paver.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary cleanup, March 8, 2017. Photos courtesy of Shari Paver.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary cleanup, March 8, 2017. Photos courtesy of Shari Paver.