The Maui News

A brown-water advisory was issued for D.T. Fleming Beach Park on the west side Monday afternoon due to stormwater runoff from recent heavy rain, and the National Weather Service is predicting a rainy Christmas Day.

The state Health Department said the stormwater runoff that flowed into coastal waters may include material from overflowing cesspools, sewers and manholes. The water may contain pesticides, animal fecal material, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and debris.

Not all coastal areas may be impacted by runoff, but if the water is brown stay out, the Health Department advised.

In other meteorological news, the weather service has issued a special weather statement saying that coastal flooding is likely for Maui County this week. Unusually high water levels are expected during peak high tides.

Breezy southerly winds today and Wednesday may increase the wave run-up along south-facing shores. The threat of coastal flooding will diminish over the coming weekend as the peak daily tides subside. Impacts may include inundation of low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure, and flooding of beaches that are normally dry.

Peak tides for Kahului Harbor will be at 1:58 a.m. today, 2:34 a.m. Wednesday, 3:10 a.m. Thursday and 3:45 a.m. Friday. The height and time of the peak high tides varies from place to place. For details, visit tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov.

A high-surf advisory was extended to 6 a.m. today with surf of 6 to 8 feet predicted along east-facing shores of Molokai and Maui, the weather service said. Strong breaking waves along the shoreline and long shore and rip currents in the ocean are expected.

A small-craft advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday for Maui County windward waters and the Alenuihaha Channel between Maui and Hawaii island.

East to southeast winds of 23 mph to 35 mph and seas of 9 to 12 feet are expected. Winds and seas will be hazardous to small craft.

The forecast for today in the central valley of Maui is cloudy with southerly winds of up to 10 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon, the weather service said. High temperatures will be around 82 degrees with overnight lows of 65 to 70 degrees.

A cloudy and rainy Christmas Day on Wednesday is forecast by the weather service. There is a 40 percent chance of rain during the day and 70 percent at night. Southerly winds will be blowing around 10 mph. Daytime high temperatures are expected to hit 82 degrees with overnight lows between 64 and 69 degrees.