Lowell leaves mark on Maui
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Hurricane Lowell brought its strongest effects to Hawaii's western islands Monday night into Tuesday, generating waves reported at 15 to 30 feet that damaged roads and coastal homes and left tens of thousands without power on Kauai.
More than 250 miles from Kauai, Lowell's waves also had a major impact on parts of Lanai and Maui.
The center of the storm passed west of the islands Monday night into Tuesday and moved farther away throughout Tuesday.
Tropical storm-force winds extended well beyond Lowell's center, however. Sustained winds at Lihue Airport measured just above 50 mph. The airport had closed ahead of the storm.
On Lanai, the island's barge shipping port remained inoperable Wednesday. A number of roads and parks on Maui also remained closed because of storm damage.
In addition to damaging roads and causing heavy coastal erosion, the waves toppled trees and damaged a section of the boardwalk at Kaanapali Resort near Hula Grill. Near the Maui Marriott Ocean Club, erosion left the walkway at the edge of a drop-off several feet deep. At least one boat ran aground on Maui.
State transportation officials said Tuesday night that staff at Kaumalapau Harbor on Lanai were evaluating alternatives while the harbor remained closed.
The harbor receives barge service once a week. The delivery includes what Maui County Council member Gabe Johnson described as enough gasoline to last the island approximately 25 days. Lines were long at Lanai's only gas station Tuesday, with an estimated two-hour wait and a $50 limit per vehicle, Johnson said.
Johnson posted videos of the lines on social media and asked residents to give priority to kupuna and others most in need. On Maui, several state recreation facilities were closed because of the storm, including Kaumahina State Wayside Park in Haiku, Polipoli State Recreation Area, Kula Forest Reserve and Waianapanapa State Park.
Beside Kaumalapau Harbor, Lanai also has a small boat harbor frequented by a passenger ferry business.
Maui County also announced the closure of Kamaole Beach Parks I, II and III; Keawakapu Beach Parks I and II; Cove Park; the middle and south sections of Wahikuli Wayside Park; Lahaina Aquatic Center; Waiehu Municipal Golf Course; and Wells Park Complex in Wailuku.
Roads closed to through traffic as of Tuesday morning included a section of Front Street between Kapunakea Street and Honoapiilani Highway.
In South Maui, closures included portions of South Kihei Road between Uwapo and Ohukai roads, as well as sections of Kaonoulu and Ohukai roads.
Traffic remained slow on North Kihei Road on Wednesday morning because of a sinkhole along the shoreline. Authorities alternated traffic while workers cleared debris and filled the damaged section of the highway.
For updated information on Maui County road closures, go to mauicounty.gov/roadclosures.
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.