#Maui storm

Crews are responding to storm-related outages on Hawaiʻi Island and the company also continues to coordinate with state and county emergency response officials. With the updated forecast, which includes rainfall and increased humidity, lessening the threat of wildfires, Hawaiian Electric has determined that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) will no longer be considered as a safety measure at this time. 

With the forecast of possible stormy weather this weekend and its potential impact to Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Electric advises its customers to review their emergency preparedness plans and be ready for possible outages.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 10:45 p.m. At 8:14 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over East Maui, falling at a rate of 2 to 3.5 inches per hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Inclement weather from Tuesday’s slow passing cold front resulted in water leaks at the Maui Community Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 203 Hoʻolana Street, Suite 303 in Kahului.

County officials say staff are inspecting and clearing culverts, and inspecting and testing drainage pumps to confirm they operate. Sand plugs are being lowered in Kīhei to help potential release of floodwaters. Also, traffic control devices are being assembled and prepared to deploy where hazards or closures of roadways occur.

The NWS says the “peak period of concern” at this time is approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday with the “greatest potential for higher end rain rates occurring after midnight Tuesday night.” As of 5 p.m., the system was located about 655 miles ESE of Hilo Hawaiʻi; 730 miles ESE of Hāna, Maui; 760 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui; 800 miles ESE of Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi; 790 miles ESE of Lānaʻi City; and 855 miles ESE of Honolulu, Oʻahu.

Calvin is now a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph as it continues on a WNW path at 16 mph. Calvin was last located 1360 miles ESE of Hilo, 1425 miles ESE of Hāna and 1460 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui.

Hawaiian Electric crews on Maui have been working to bolster the island’s resilience against severe weather-related events through a series of ongoing initiatives.

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.

South Kīhei Road will be closed from Ohukai to Uwapo Road for cleanup of trees and debris between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022.

Governor David Ige has issued a third proclamation related to a ‘kona low’ storm that hit Hawaiʻi in December 2021.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Hawaiʻi businesses and residents affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides that occurred Dec. 5-10, 2021.

Residents in Kula and Kīhei may place green waste and natural earthen material near curbs or along roadsides for pick-up, transport and dumping in the Central Maui Landfill, from Monday, Dec.13, to Thursday, Dec. 23. The service is free of charge.

Both lanes of Kekaulike Avenue between Mile 8 (vicinity of Maui Wedding Flowers) and Alae Road are closed. Major utility repairs to remove fallen trees from power lines and replace downed poles have been completed, additional utility work is ongoing.

The National Weather Service reports the State of Hawaiʻi will be experiencing heavy rains over the next few days. County officials say the NWS anticipates that Maui County will likely experience the greatest impacts from this storm on Sunday, Dec. 5.  

The three tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific in 2021 were below the average of 4 to 5 tropical cyclones that develop or move across the central Pacific basin each year.

Additional heavy rain may develop, and the ground remains saturated, thus a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday.

“When you see flood damage in the light of day, it’s a reminder of the sheer power of fast-moving water. We are so fortunate there were no reported deaths or injuries. I want to publicly thank our first responders who did heroic work under very dangerous conditions.”

The County of Maui is urging residents and visitors to stay at home and off of roads and highways while a heavy rainstorm affects the islands today with flooding and landslides in some areas.

At 5:28 p.m. HST, the thunderstorm was located approximately 8 miles northeast of Huelo, or 21 miles east of Kahului, and was moving southwest at at 15 mph.