Maui Rain Impacts: Road Conditions, Rescues, Rockfalls

8:24 p.m. 1.18.21: LANDSLIDE HANA HWY MILE 12.5: Landslide on Hāna Highway at mile marker 12.5. Keʻanae crew is responding.

8:10 p.m. 1.18.21: FLOOD WARNING FOR MOLOKAI UNTIL 11:15 P.M.: At 8:10 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy rain over east Molokaʻi, in areas that have already received a significant amount of rainfall earlier today. Although stream levels have fallen slightly over the past couple hours, rainfall intensity is now increasing over these same areas which received the earlier heavy rains. Rainfall rates of around 1 inch per hour are now occurring, and this will likely lead to additional high water levels on area streams along with flash flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas.

6:50 p.m. 1.18.21: LANDSLIDE HANA HWY MILE 18: Small landslide on Hāna Highway at mile marker 18. Keʻanae crew is responding.

5:55 p.m. 1.18.21: HONOAPIILANI ROCKFALL NEAR PAPALAUA WAYSIDE: Rockfall on Honoapiʻilani Highway at mile marker 10.5 (near Papalaua Wayside Park). A crew is heading out.

5:54 P.M. 1.18.21: FLOOD ADVISORY FOR MAUI UNTIL 9 P.M.: At 5:54 p.m., radar indicated locally heavy showers over the west Maui mountains and along the north slope of Haleakalā from near Makawao and Pukalani to near Hāna. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour. Other moderate to heavy rain may overspread portions of the island later this evening.

5:20 p.m. 1.18.21: KEPANIWAI PARK CLOSED EARLY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: The Department of Parks and Recreation closed Kepaniwai Park in ʻĪao Valley approximately three hours early today because of heavy rain and flooding, the department announced. The park is expected to reopen tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021) at 7 a.m. The park normally closes at 7 p.m.

5:20 p.m. 1.18.21: BALDWIN & HOʻOKIPA BEACH PARKS REMAIN CLOSED: Baldwin and Hoʻokipa Beach Parks remained closed today, as planned, because of forecasted high surf and flooding. Parks department personnel will reassess both beach parks for reopening tomorrow morning.

(Update: 4:47 p.m.) 4:35 p.m. 1.18.21: RESCUE AT PUAMANA AVERTED (West Maui): Maui fire crews responded to a report involving an individual who may need assistance after being swept away near a culvert. Crews spotted an individual climbing to safety and confirmed it was the individual in question. Puamana command was terminated at 4:52 p.m.

4:24 p.m. 1.18.21: ROCKFALL IN HONOKOWAI: A crew from the state Department of Transportation is responding to report of rockfall on the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Honokōwai around mile marker 35.

3:23 p.m. 1.18.21: WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY: North to NE winds 20 to 30 mph with localized gusts up to 50 mph are forecast for Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui and Kahoʻolawe. Winds this strong are capable of downing tents or other temporary structures, as well as downing trees and causing power outages. The strongest winds will occur over ridges and through valleys where winds can accelerate downslope.

12:07 p.m. 1.18.21: FLOODING DAIRY RD, HANA HWY INTERSECTION: The state Department of Transportation is reporting flooding conditions at the intersection of Dairy Road and Hāna Highway in Kahului. Motorists are advised to avoid the area until conditions subside.