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State and city offices on Oʻahu, along with public schools, will be closed on Friday as heavy rain and strong gusty winds are expected to to impact the islands.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Hawaiian Islands from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. A high wind warning is also in effect for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu through Friday morning.
Updated 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9
- A flash flood warning has been issued for the island of Kaua‘i through Thursday night. Radar shows heavy rainfall over the northern portion of the island. The gauge at the Hanalei River has recorded a sharp increase in water height and flow.
- Hanalei Elementary school on Kauaʻi is closed on Friday. All Oʻahu public schools, including charter schools, will also be closed.
- Real-time stream data is available through the United States Geological Survey's Water Data for the Nation website. Stream gauges throughout the islands are typically updated every 15 minutes to reflect changing conditions during heavy rainfall events.
- The Zipperlane on Oʻahu and the Kūhiō Highway Southbound Contraflow on Kauaʻi will not be open for Friday commuters.
- While most state workers will not be reporting to work, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene as scheduled. April 10 marks the second decking deadline.
- On Kauaʻi, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the Kalalau Trail and Polihale State Park until further notice, and the Wailua River is closed to all vessels.
- DLNR will close all state parks and camping areas on Oʻahu on Friday until further notice.
Emergency shelters open
- Oʻahu: The City and County of Honolulu has opened emergency shelters at the district parks in Kāneʻohe, Wahiawā, Mānoa and Waiʻanae, as well as Kahuku Elementary School. Nānākuli High and Intermediate is scheduled to open at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Click here to see the locations and status of shelters.
- Maui: The Maui Emergency Management Agency opened South Maui Community Park Gym, Lahaina Civic Center, Helene Hall, and Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center. The county offers paratransit services to select shelters. For information or reservations, call (808) 877-7651 between 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Molokaʻi: Maui County emergency officials said Molokaʻi shelter support is available as needed. Residents should call (808) 280-8968.
- Kauaʻi: A community-led refuge area at Hale Halawai in Hanalei has been opened.
Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros said on the Conversation on Thursday that Kauaʻi is expected to receive the initial brunt of the storm before the system moves over west Oʻahu on Thursday afternoon.
He added that emergency officials are hoping the storm will dissipate significantly before it reaches Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.
The rain comes weeks after Kona low storms caused flash flooding and extensive property damage in communities across the state. For those storms last month, a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been approved. Gov. Josh Green said in a statement, "Being recognized as a major disaster is significant because it opens the door for additional federal resources and establishes a shared responsibility between the state and federal government to support our communities throughout our recovery."
The state Department of Hawaiʻi has identified a new travel-related dengue case on Kaua‘i. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. The agency said that the risk of transmission from this case is expected to be low, but officials are urging residents to remove standing water from storms where possible to limit mosquito populations.
Out of precaution, the City and County of Honolulu has closed the Community Assistance Center and distribution hub in Waialua through the weekend. The city hopes to reopen it on Monday.
Utilities
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has topped off its water tanks in preparation for possible power outages from the storm. The board's water pumps run on electricity. If the power goes out, water can't be pumped up to the tanks from the underground wells. Residents are also encouraged to store water.
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui Nui residents can track Hawaiian Electric power outages here. Kauaʻi residents can track KIUC outages here.
This is a developing story.
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