Thursday Flooding Causes Traffic Snarl on Honoapi‘ilani Hwy

Flooding at Kai Hele Kū 9.27.18 by Brittany Kevan via Cori Clamme

PC: Kaila in Olowalu. 9.27.18 3:29 p.m.

Update: 6:55 p.m. 9.27.18

The Honoapiʻilani Highway is now completely open as of 6:55 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. Maui police say traffic is starting to slowly resume its normal flow. Motorists are asked to continue to use caution and patience.

Traffic was reduced to a contraflow for much of the afternoon when flooding occurred in Olowalu and parts of the Lahaina Bypass.

State crews from the Department of Transportation worked to clear standing water in problem areas.

Update: 4:40 p.m., 4:14 p.m. 9.27.18

Crews with the State Department of Transportation are still out with the West Maui Land Co. working to push water off the Lahaina Bypass.

Maui Now continues to receive reports of heavy traffic on the Honoapiʻilani Highway.  According to road reports, it is taking 1.5 hours to get from Kahului to Mile 9 before the Tunnel for motorists headed toward Lahaina.

Police continue to report flooding issues in the Olowalu area as well.

Motorists are asked to please drive with caution and expect significant delays.

There’s also a Flood WARNING in effect for Maui until 7:45 p.m. and a Flood Advisory for the island of Molokaʻi until 6:45 p.m.

Update: 2:08 p.m. 9.27.18

Flooding continues to be a problem on the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Lahaina in Olowalu near the paintball field.  As of 2:08 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, a contra-flow remained in effect. State Highway crews continue to assess the situation. Maui Police Lieutenant Gregg Okamoto tells Maui Now that it is unknown how long the roadway will be affected. Drivers are asked to continue to be patient.

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Maui motorists are advised of a contra-flow on the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Lahaina between Olowalu (near the paintball field) and the intersection with Kai Hele Kū (by-pass) due to flooding over the roadway.

Maui police Lieutenant Gregg Okamoto tells Maui Now that traffic is slow-moving as a result.

Police are asking motorists to be cautious and patient as crews from the State Highways Division are working to help alleviate the problem.

The public is asked to avoid travel to or from Lahaina and refrain from traveling on the affected roadway until normal traffic flow is reinstated.

Also, the public is asked not to call Police Dispatch or 9-1-1 for traffic updates.

The Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui has been cancelled as of 11:57 a.m., however runoff levels remain elevated in some areas.  Emergency Managers say impacts from the rain can still be felt.  Motorists are advised to stay off of roads in flooded areas.

*Please check back here for updates. We will update this post with new information as it becomes available.

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*Video above courtesy: Thai Chef