#Maui Flood

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for the island of Molokaʻi in Maui County, in effect until 1:15 p.m. At 10:13 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over windward Molokaʻi, with rain falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour with the heaviest rainfall occurring near Kalaupapa.

The National Weather Service has extended a Flood Advisory for the island of Maui until 1:30 p.m. At 11:13 a.m., radar continued to show heavy rain over north facing slopes of Haleakalā, including the Hāna Highway.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure provisions in the biennial water resources bill that will support critical flood management and environmental restoration projects across on Maui and across the state.

A kona low developing to the north will bring the potential for heavy rain and thunderstorms over the state today through at least Friday. The highest chance for excessive rainfall appears to be over Oʻahu and possibly Maui County starting tonight, and persisting through Thursday. The focus for heavy rainfall then likely shifts toward Kauaʻi on Friday; however, these details could change, and all areas should be prepared for the possibility of flash flooding, according to the NWS.

The project will include removal of an existing revetment, installation of a pre-formed scour hole and implementation of a flood-warning system, according to Council Chair Alice Lee.

Nearly 10 inches of rain – the highest rainfall total in the state – was recorded in United States Geological Survey’s rain gauge near Keʻanae in a 24-hour period ending at 1 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2023.

The Hāna Highway is closed between mile markers 40 and 41 in the area of Laulima Farms due to flooding. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation was headed out to Mile 21 of the Hāna Highway at around 9:12 a.m. to clear a reported mud/rock slide. Piʻilani Highway in East Maui is closed at mile markers 16, 28, miles 29 to 31 from Kaupō to Nuʻu, and at the bridge at mile 36 due to flooding.

The county’s Department of Planning is creating a public tool that will help reduce flood risk for human life and property while protecting and restoring Maui County’s important natural wetland ecosystems, county officials announced.

Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows rainfall from Jan. 27-30 was measured at 23.61 inches at Puʻu Aliʻi, Molokaʻi, and from 5 to 15 inches over parts of Maui.

The storm left portions of South Kīhei Road covered in mud, uprooted trees in Maui Lani and South Maui, and knocked out power to an estimated 12,000 customers on the Valley Isle. It also resulted in hazardous traveling conditions along the Hāna Highway, and caused some flights to be diverted because of poor visibility.

At 4:32 a.m., radar showed heavy rain had redeveloped over the eastern third of Molokaʻi. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour. The NWS says some locations that will experience flooding include: Pūkoʻo, ʻUalapuʻe, Hālawa Valley, Kamalo, Kalaupapa National Park and Kawela.

At 7:58 a.m. HST, radar indicated heavy rain over east Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour with the heaviest rain over the East Maui mountains. Additonal heavy showers are expected during the next few hours.

Weather radar shows that the heavy rain has diminished. Therefore, the Flood Advisory has been canceled for the Island of Maui. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $1,262,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair Awalau Road from damages caused by a March 2021 storm and landslides.

The National Weather Service reports that radar at around 9:46 a.m. showed heavy rain over windward Maui falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

The Flood Advisory for Maui was cancelled as of 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

At 3:04 p.m., radar showed heavy showers over Upcountry Maui, falling at rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour.

“I’ve had an opportunity to survey the storm’s impacts in person and by reviewing drone footage, so I can verify the damage is substantial,” said Mayor Victorino.

Below are storm photos from what the National Weather Service reported as Maui County’s “heaviest rainfall.” The rainfall was expected to cause “catastrophic flooding and affect areas that do not usually flood.”

The National Weather Service reports that flood waters have receded. Piʻilani Highway remains closed at Pahihi Gulch due to earlier flood damage. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Maui County through Tuesday afternoon.