LANE Winds Topple Giant Eucalyptus at Pi‘iholo

A giant eucalyptus tree two miles up Pi‘iholo Road was blown down by Hurricane Lane on Friday morning, Aug. 24, 2018. The tree blocked the road for several hours as a six-man Maui County road crew worked with a bulldozer and chainsaws to remove it during relentless rainfall.

Lana Coryell’s driveway was blocked by the tree.

“They had to clear some trees below us I guess, but got to us about 8:30 and worked until 4 p.m.,” Coryell said.

She said that residents living above 2 miles up were able to navigate to the top of Pi‘iholo and then down Olinda, “but there were other downed trees and power lines, so it was a precarious drive.”

“The Maui County crew was incredibly nice and hard-working,” said Coryell. “I’m very grateful to them!”

Storm force winds on Friday also downed several utility poles on Waiahiwi Road, in the upcountry district of Makawao on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Area resident, Susan Miller said, “Three power poles snapped like old-fashioned matchsticks. Our road leading to Pi‘iholo is trashed.”

Maui County workers spent hours in the rain clearing a huge fallen eucalyptus tree from lower Pi‘iholo Road. PC: Lana Coryell

A huge eucalyptus fell across the street on Friday, Aug. 24, at about 6:30 a.m., due to winds generated by Hurricane Lane.

Maui County workers spent hours in the rain clearing a huge fallen eucalyptus tree from lower Pi‘iholo Road. PC: Glenn Coryell

Pi‘iholo Road resident Lana Coryell’s mailbox was taken down by a huge eucalyptus tree that fell across the street on Friday, Aug. 24, at about 6:30 a.m. due to winds generated by Hurricane Lane. PC: Lana Coryell