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The Maui News
Heavy rains soaked the island and dumped more than 7 inches in parts of East Maui on Sunday and Monday, forcing the closure of a road and triggering a flood advisory.
Piilani Highway at Nuu Bay was closed until further notice due to flooding in Nuu Gulch that made the roadway unsafe to pass through, Maui County announced Monday afternoon.
The road closure is located about 12 miles southwest of Kaupo Store.
Maui County advised drivers to enter and return from Hana by way of Paia.
The Department of Public Works Highways Division will announce when Piilani Highway is reopened, the county said.
East Maui took the brunt of the rainstorm, with the West Wailuaiki gauge recording 7.20 inches over a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Hana Airport experienced 1.90 inches of rain over the same period, the second-highest total on the island.
Kahakuloa saw 1.68 inches of rain, while the Kepuni gauge in Kahikinui recorded 1.04 inches.
With the excessive rain causing “minor flooding” on roads, in poor drainage areas and in streams, the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Maui island through 7:30 p.m. Monday.
At 4:22 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the southeast slopes of Haleakala falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, the weather service said, warning of flooding in Kaupo, Kipahulu and Haleakala National Park.
The weather service advised people to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.