4:35 p.m.
Thirteen public schools on Oahu, Hawaii island and Molokai will be closed Monday or for the week for storm-related damage assessments, cleanup and repairs, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education.
HIDOE reports receiving 500 work orders related to storm damage at schools with 42 incidents reported to the insurance for review.
“The most common issues include roof leaks and water intrusion into classrooms, followed by downed trees, debris and localized flooding. While many campuses experienced minor to moderate impacts, some schools continue to report more extensive damage, and full assessments are ongoing. Schools and facilities crews used the past week, while students and teachers were off campus for spring break, to focus on cleanup and repairs,” according to a news release from HIDOE.
On Oahu, the following schools will be closed Monday for further assessment and cleaning:
>> Waialua Elementary School
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>> Waialua High & Intermediate School
>> Haleiwa Elementary School
>> Sunset Beach Elementary School
On Molokai, flooding and road closures have affected staff’s ability to access the campus. The following schools will be closed Monday:
>> Kaunakakai Elementary School
>> Kilohana Elementary School
>> Maunaloa Elementary School
>> Molokai Middle School
>> Molokai High School
>> HIDOE Molokai complex office
On Hawaii island, the following schools will be closed for the week of March 23 to 27:
>> Konawaena Middle School
>> Konawaena High School
>> Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino
Kona schools will be closed for cleanup and repair work.
Konawaena High School, staff will use the time to prepare for the distance learning transition.
“At Konawaena Middle School and Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino, some instructional spaces require additional testing and clearance following professional cleaning. Teachers at these schools will be on telework during the week. All other staff are expected to report to campus or assigned work locations to support school operations,” according to the news release.
4:15 p.m.
A flood watch has been extended for Hawaii island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe until late tonight.
Moisture remaining from the departing Kona-low storm and a trough aloft will bring potential heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms tonight to those affected islands.
Meanwhile, the special marine warning for Hawaii island windaward waters has been extended until 5 p.m.
At 3:54 p.m., a severe thunderstorm moving slowly north was located 7 nm north of Paauilo. The thunderstorm will mostly remain over open waters.
“Prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets,” according to the forecast.
Meanwhile, three shelters on Maui are scheduled to close at 5 p.m. today but a shelter in South Maui and another one on Molokai will remain open.
The shelters closing are Hana High School Cafeteria in East Maui, Lahaina Civic Center in West Maui and Baldwin High School in Central Maui.
South Maui Community Park Gym at 1501 Liloa Drive and Mitchell Pauole Community Center, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai, Molokai (Temporary Evacuation Point at Kilohana Recreation Center, 334 E. Kamehameha V Highway, Ualapue Park, Kaunakakai) will both remain open.
2:50 p.m.
A flood watch remains for Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Hawaii island through this afternoon. Forecasters did not provide an expiration time.
In addition, a special marine warning for Hawaii island windward waters has been issued until 4 p.m.
At 2:55 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing watersprouts was located offshore of Paauilo. The severe thunderstorm was traveling slowly to the northeast.
Waterspouts and wind gusts of 34 knots or greater can easily overturn boats and create hazardous seas.
An earlier special marine warning for the Puna District has been canceled.
A winter storm warning remains until 6 p.m. for the Hawaii island summits. Total snow accumulations of up to 10 inches are possible and wind gusts may reach as high as 60 mph.
12:15 p.m.
A flood watch remains for Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Hawaii island through this afternoon.
The Kona low located north of the islands has drawn abundant moisture northward with rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall anticipated, forecasters said.
A winter storm warning for Hawaii island summits above 12,000 feet remains in effect until 6 p.m. today.
Total snow accumulations of up to 10 inches are possible with possible wind gusts of 60 mph while light snow may linger into Monday.
A special marine warning for Hawaii island leeward waters has been issued until 1 p.m. today.
“At 1152 AM HST, a thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located 9 nm northwest of FAD Buoy F, or 14 nm southwest of Kona International Airport, moving northeast at 5 knots,” according to the forecast.
Waterspouts and wind gusts of 34 knots or greater can easily overturn boats and create hazardous seas.
Affected locations include Honokohau Harbor and Keahole Point.
11:20 a.m.
At 10:47 a.m. today, evacuation advisories were issued for Kelawea Mauka III neighborhoods above the bypass in Lahaina due to possible vehicle accessibility from new and worsening roadway sinkholes, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency.
Warnings and advisories are not mandatory evacuation orders.
10 a.m.
A flash flood warning for Molokai remains in effect until 11:30 a.m. today.
At 9:48 a.m., the radar showed heavy rain showers and thunderstorms decreasing in intensity with the heaviest rain falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour over southeast Molokai, according to the forecast.
“While water levels have lowered in at Kawela Gulch and Halawa Stream, emergency management reports that Kamehameha V Highway remains hazardous for travel east of Kaunakakai at Kapaakea Loop,” forecasters said.
The public is urged to stay away from streams, rivers, culverts and drainage ditches even if those areas are currently dry.
9:30 a.m.
The Molokai shelter has been moved to Mitchell Pau’ole Community Center, 90 Ainoa St. in Kaunakakai, according to a news release from Maui Emergency Management Agency.
A shelter opened 7 a.m. at the county’s Kaunakakai Gym but water leaking forced its relocation.
Residents are urged to bring essentials to a Temporary Evacuation Point which opened 9 a.m. at Kilohana Recreation Center, 334 E. Kamehameha V Highway, Ualapue Park, Kaunakakai.
“Shelters provide cots, food and water. Bring bedding, essential supplies and any necessary medications. Pets are allowed only if they are in crates or cages. The length of shelter operations will depend on the severity of the weather. Additional shelter locations may open if needed,” according to a news release.
Maui County remains under a flood watch. Intense rainfall has been observed over southeast Molokai, where rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour earlier this morning. Water levels remain elevated at Kawela Gulch and Halawa Stream.
9 a.m.
Approximately 3,200 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers remain without power on the North Shore of Oahu and 100 customers in Maui County.
“To ensure public safety, damage assessments and repairs must be completed before electricity can be turned on,” according to a HECO news release. “Yesterday, crews restored power to 3,100 customers in Kawailoa, Kuilima/Turtle Bay and Waimea.”
Customers on the North Shore who had their power turned off should:
>> Make sure electrical outlets are clear of water then shut off the main breaker.
>> Wait for HECO to announce it is safe to turn on the main breaker.
>> Call HECO’s Trouble Line at 1-855-304-1212 to report any damage to power lines or poles near their home or area. Stay at least 30 feet or more away from downed power lines.
Customers on Oahu, Hawaii island and Maui County should also be prepared for possible power outages.
All major outages have been address on Hawaii island.
8:30 a.m.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency has issued evacuation warnings for Central Molokai areas of Kapaakea Hawaiian Homes along Kamehameha V Highway, and for Kalamaula area, west of Kaunakakai, due to flash flooding.
Warnings and advisories are not mandatory evacuation orders, officials said.
A shelter opened at 7 a.m. today at the county’s Kaunakakai Gym, 180 Ala Malama Ave., in Kaunakakai.
To view whether your neighborhood is under MEMA evacuation warning or advisory, visit Genasys Protect app at protect.genasys.com.
An evacution warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with livestock and pets, may consider leaving early, MEMA officials said.
Molokai is under a flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m.
“At 8:15 a.m. radar indicated heavy showers and thunderstorms continuing to move over Molokai,” the National Weather Service warning said. “The most intense rainfall has been observed over southeast Molokai, where rain is falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Water levels remain elevated in Kawela Gulch and Halawa Stream. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
All islands, except Kauai, are under a flood watch through this afternoon.
12:30 a.m.
A flood advisory for Molokai has been extended until 3:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service reported heavy showers and thunderstorms developing and tracking northeast over the eastern parts of the island.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Ualapue, Kamalo, Pukoo, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Halawa Valley, Kaunakakai and Kualapuu.
