Local News

Crews working to clear Maui roads after flooding from Lowell

Maui County and state crews are working to clear roads in South Maui and other parts of the county after coastal flooding from Hurricane Lowell deposited mud and debris and damaged transportation infrastructure.

Lowell passed closest to Kauai County overnight as a Category 2 hurricane before weakening to Category 1 and moving north away from the state. Kauai sustained some of the state's most significant damage.

In Maui County, roads affected Tuesday morning included portions of North and South Kihei roads in South Maui and Front Street from Kapululoa Place north to Honoapiilani Highway in both directions in West Maui.

Closures as of Tuesday afternoon included Kamaole Beach Parks I, II and III, Keawakapu Beach Parks I and II, and the Lahaina Aquatic Center. Cove Park and both sections of Wahikuli Wayside Park had reopened, while Waiehu Municipal Golf Course had resumed normal play. The county said conditions were subject to change.

Drivers were advised to avoid affected areas, use alternate routes and allow additional travel time. They should not drive around barricades or attempt to cross flooded roads.

Because conditions and closures may change, motorists should check the county's road-closure website at mauicounty.gov/roadclosures before traveling.

The Hawaii Department of Health also issued a Brown Water Advisory for the coastline from Maalaea to Keawakapu.

Beachgoers should avoid water that appears brown or murky following storms or heavy rain, even in areas where an advisory has not been issued. Stormwater runoff may carry higher-than-normal levels of pollutants into coastal waters.

The department recommends avoiding affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after rain has stopped and the area has received full sunshine. The public also should avoid swimming or wading in freshwater streams and ponds or drinking from them because of the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection.

Advisory updates are available at eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/event/2132/details/view.