Hawaiʻi Storm Latest: Forecast, Outages, Closures, Shelters, More
Updated news from officials on the Kona low storm passing over Hawaiʻi amid concerns of flooding and high winds.
Much of Hawaiʻi was under high wind and flash flood warnings as a powerful Kona low descended on the islands, with the worst of the storm expected now and through the weekend.
Officials across the islands urged people to stay home and off the roads as the storm reaches its peak, with dam failure possible at Oʻahu’s Wahiawā Dam.
Emergency proclamations related to the storm have been issued for the counties of Honolulu, Maui and Kauaʻi — and at the state level. Hawaiʻi County was on standby.
Latest Hawaiʻi Storm Forecast
Hazardous weather including flash flooding, damaging high winds and thunderstorms was expected through the weekend due to a powerful Kona low storm, according to the National Weather Service. The storm was forecast to lift on Monday but intensified Friday as winds picked up and rain saturated the ground, with some areas seeing as much as 8 to 10 inches of rain by Friday afternoon.
Southern and western slopes of islands across the state would likely see the highest flood threats. “Driving under these heavy shower bands will become challenging with ponding of water on area roadways,” officials wrote. Snow and ice were possible on the highest heights of Hawaiʻi island.
The winds may reach gale-force levels heading into the weekend.
A high wind warning was in place until early Sunday morning for all islands except the Big Island, where a wind advisory was in place for lower elevations.
In the rest of the state, gusts of 50 to 70 mph were possible with areas north and east of the mountains facing the highest risk, according to the weather service. Winds could topple trees, power lines, damage roofs and spur power outages, and people were encouraged to bring in or secure outdoor items.
See the most current Hawaiʻi Storm forecast from the weather service and a map of which areas were affected by flash flood warnings, high wind watches and more.
Get the latest news on how the Kona low storm affects Hawaiʻi and more:
What is a Kona low storm?
Kona lows are subtropical cyclones that tend to form in the winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Kona means “leeward” in the Hawaiian language. These storms buck the usual trends for Hawaiʻi by moving from south to southwest instead of coming from the east or northeast. Because the leeward sides of the islands tend to be drier and see less rainfall, they are especially susceptible to floods, landslides and mudslides, according to NOAA.
Hawaiʻi Power Outages
Power outages were reported across the islands as the storm bore down.
Oʻahu saw some 170 outages Friday afternoon, with more than 115,000 Hawaiian Electric customers impacted. Hawaiʻi Kai and portions of East Honolulu were advised that outages could last overnight or longer after a key transmission line along the Koʻolaus was damaged.
Another 16,000 Hawaiian Electric customers lost power on Maui, plus 36,000 on Kauaʻi.
Check to see the latest in your neighborhood:
- Oʻahu power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
- Big Island power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
- Maui County power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
- Kauaʻi power outage map from Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative
Hawaiʻi Public Schools, State Offices Closed
Gov. Josh Green had moved Thursday to shut down state agencies via an emergency proclamation — the second in just over a month — to minimize the impacts of the storm.
Public schools and Department of Education offices are closed Friday across the state. After-school programs, including those from the YMCA of Honolulu and Kama’aina Kids, also had announced they would be closed.
All state parks are closed, which includes ʻIolani Palace and the Queen Emma Summer Palace on Oʻahu.
Oʻahu Closures, Shelters, Evacuations
An evacuation warning was issued Friday night for people who live downstream of the Wahiawā Dam, including parts of Haleʻiwa and Waialua. Residents were urged to ready a “go bag,” pets and supplies.
Evacuations were ordered for Otake Camp in Waialua around 2:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Honolulu Department of Emergency management. Evacuees were urged to head to a shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate.
Honolulu officials are keeping an eye on flood conditions and water levels across the island.
Shelters have opened in the following locations:
- ʻEwa: Asing Community Park (91-1450 Renton Road)
- Kahuku: Kahuku Elementary School (56-170 Pualalea St.)
- Kāneʻohe: Kāneʻohe District Park (45-495 Kamehameha Highway)
- Mānoa: Mānoa Valley District Park (2721 Kaaipu Ave.)
- Nānākuli: Nānākuli High and Intermediate (89-980 Nanakuli Ave.)
- Waialua: Waialua High and Intermediate (67-160 Farrington Highway)
- Wahiawā: George Fred Wright Wahiawā District Park (1061 Kilani Ave.)
Anyone visiting a shelter was urged to bring their own bedding, food and water, Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Thursday evening. Space and services at shelters will be limited.
Oʻahu road closures including the following were reported per the state Department of Transportation:
- H-1 offramp at westbound Pali Highway
- Kalanianaʻole Highway at Pali Highway: Kailua-bound lanes closed due to debris on the road
- Kamehameha Highway at Waikāne Stream: closed due to water surpassing the bridge
- Kamehameha Highway between Hale Hālawai Dr. and Lanikūhana Ave.: closed to repair rock fall mitigation fence
- Lunalilo St. near Piʻikoi St.: two westbound lanes blocked by fallen tree
- Nimitz Highway at River St.: left lane westbound closed due to flooding
The City and County of Honolulu has closed the following facilities due to the storm:
- Parks and recreational facilities
- Honolulu Zoo
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
- City golf courses
- City gardens
Skyline shut down from East Kapolei to Waipahu Friday afternoon due to power outages.
TheBus may suspend service if winds surpass 45 mph and all of the Skyline could be halted at 60 mph. Winds of 50 mph are forecast, Blangiardi had said Thursday. While some parts of the island may see minimal impacts, others may see 15 inches of rain — half of the 30 inches forecast earlier this week.
The mayor encouraged Oʻahu residents to call 311 for situations that are not life-threatening and save 911 calls for life or death emergencies.
Sign up for emergency alerts from the City and County of Honolulu.
Big Island Storm Latest
Hawaiʻi County closed non-emergency offices from 6 a.m. Friday through Saturday, Mayor Kimo Alameda announced Thursday.
A live update of Hawaiʻi County storm-related hazards, such as road closures, shelters and more, can be found online.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Hawaiʻi County.
Maui County Closures, Shelters
Maui County officials urged people to stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches and culverts amid a flash flood warning and heavy rains that spurred safety concerns on local roads.
Officials announced the following facility closures:
- Parks and recreational facilities
- County offices as of 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday
- Waiehu Municipal Golf Course
- Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens
The following shelters opened Thursday:
- Hana: Hana High School Cafeteria (4111 Hāna Highway)
- Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway)
- Lānaʻi: Lānaʻi High & Elementary School Gym (555 Fraser Ave.)
- Kahului: Maui High School gymnasium (660 Lono Ave.)
- Molokaʻi: Kaunakakai Gym (180 Ala Malama Ave.)
- Kīhei: South Maui Community Park gym (1501 Liloa Dr.)
People heading to shelters were encouraged to bring bedding, essential supplies and medications. Cots, food and water will be provided by the county. Pets in crates are permitted.
Road impacts have included:
- Crater Road at Kekaulike Avenue: closed due to fallen trees
- Hana Highway: trees fallen at mile markers 23, 25 and 29
- Hanakai Road in Kahului was closed until further notice due to flooding
- Kamehameha V Highway near Kawela Gulch was rendered inaccessible due to a landslide. County garbage pickup was expected to resume Thursday, March 19.
Maui has been hit hard by flooding, as seen in a video posted to the county’s Instagram page.
The Maui Bus ended service Friday evening due to safety issues such as road closures and flooding, the county said. Officials planned to reevaluate Saturday morning.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Maui County.
Kauaʻi Closures, Shelters
Kauaʻi County announced plans to resume Saturday a number of operations that had been put on hiatus pending the storm. A final determination would be made Saturday morning.
Until then, county crews are working to clear roads and drains.
Officials were closely monitoring the Wailua River and Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge, where water levels are elevated, the county said Friday afternoon.
Officials warned that Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may close with little or no advance notice due to flooding concerns. It was closed a few weeks ago when a hard rain swept through.
The following road closures were reported on Kauaʻi Friday afternoon:
- Ho’one Road and Kuai Road in Poʻipū has been closed due to flooding.
- Puolo Road in Hanapēpē has been closed for debris clean up.
Akemama Road in Lāwa‘i is open to local traffic only during debris clean up. The single lane closure along a portion of Ala Kinoiki near the Waialau Road intersection has reopened.
At this time, no refuge areas are open, though they are on standby across the island.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Kauaʻi County.
Hawaiʻi Airport Flight Cancellations
Hawaiʻi’s airports remained open Friday, but some flights have been canceled.
Check your flight status and be sure to get to the airport early if you’re planning to travel:
- Hilo airport flight status
- Honolulu airport flight status
- Kahului airport flight status
- Kona airport flight status
- Līhuʻe airport flight status
Reservoir And Stream Levels
As of Friday afternoon, water at four reservoirs on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu rose to watch levels. The University of Hawai‘i Sea Level Center monitors reservoirs on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Maui.
The National Water Prediction Service provides data on streams and rivers across the state. Two rivers on O‘ahu and one on Moloka‘i reported minor flooding.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Reporters Ben Angarone, Megan Tagami, Erin Nolan, Chad Blair and Noelle Fujii-Oride contributed to this report.
