Windward residents cleaning up from deluge of rain

HONOLULU (KHON2) — More flooding was a big concern for the windward side following nearly a week of daily rain.

On Monday, the National Weather Service said over 10 inches of rain fell over Maunawili, which was the most rain across the island that day.

It left grounds from Waimanalo to Kahaluu completely saturated, which was a big concern for officials because it wouldn’t take much additional rain to lead to flash flooding, landslides, mudslides, and other hazards.

“When the soil is already saturated, you see a lot of things like the trees falling, so we had a fallen tree on Likelike this morning, we had a fallen tree back at Kalanianaole point by Kapaa Quarry Road when they were working on the Kailua-bound side,” explained DOT Spokesperson Shelly Kunishige.

City officials encouraged residents to stay off the roads on Thursday as a Kona Low approached the state.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation said one of its engineers was in the city’s Emergency Operations Center monitoring conditions.

One lane would re-open and close again throughout the day on Thursday as downed trees and landslides were impacted Pali Highway and Kalanianaole Highway near Kamehameha in both directions.

Loop Road in Maunawili and Kapaa Quarry near the dump remained closed on Thursday.

“We do expect in the areas where we had to remove trees that dirt could become issue if it continues to rain,” the DOT said.

Windward residents were seen cleaning up from the week’s torrential rain, with some streets having water pumped off their streets and ponding, along with potholes across most roads.

The thought of more downpours has been worrisome for some residents.

Pam Yamaguchi said rainwater has been flooding her home for years.

She has had to place cement blocks in front of her home and on the side of her home to prevent water from flooding inside of her house. She said she’s been struggling to have officials help her solve the problem.

“It runs through my garage so profusely that we have to brush the debris out constantly, so it doesn’t go into our kitchen door and all the debris in the house,” said Yamaguchi.

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Kailua beach was nearly empty on Thursday as most people stayed out due to a brown water advisory.