Heavy rain triggers flood warnings, road and park closures on Maui
Trending
Heavy rainfall and flooding prompted flash flood warnings, road closures and the closure of several parks and recreational facilities across Maui on Thursday, Oct. 29.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Maui from 8:55 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour reported over windward and southeast Maui. Showers were nearly stationary along eastern Haleakala, according to the weather service.
A flood watch for Maui and Hawaii counties remains in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency is discouraging nonessential travel into East Maui due to hazardous weather and road conditions.
As of 11 a.m. Thursday, road closures included Keanini Drive and Uakea Road in Hana, Piilani Highway between mile markers 50 and 51, and portions of Hana Highway at mile markers 37 to 39, 15 and 16.
The Hawaii State Department of Education closed Hana High and Elementary School on Thursday because of heavy rain and road closures.
At the request of the National Park Service, MEMA also issued an evacuation warning at 10:43 a.m. Thursday for the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park due to flash flooding and other hazards.
County emergency officials opened a temporary evacuation site Wednesday night at Helene Hall, 174 Keawa Place, in Hana.
The site will remain open until the threat of flash flooding has passed. It provides a safe gathering area but does not have the supplies of a regular shelter. Residents should bring essentials, and pets are allowed only if they are in crates or cages.
The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation also announced weather-related closures affecting parks, fields and recreational facilities.
Closures included:
• Waiehu Municipal Golf Course (including shop and restaurant)
• Ichiro "Iron" Maehara Baseball Stadium
• War Memorial Complex fields 1 through 5
• Wells Park fields
• Keōpūolani Park fields 1 through 8
• Pāpōhaku Park
• Kahului School fields 1 through 3
• Maui High School varsity field
• Wailuku Elementary School field
• Central Maui Regional Sports Complex fields
• Wailuku Gym
• War Memorial Complex tennis courts
• Eddie Tam Memorial Park fields 1, 5, 6 and 7
• Lahaina Recreation Center fields 3 through 6
• 'Āinakea Park
• Napili Park fields
• Kanahā Beach Parkʻs Key Hole Access and Kaʻa Point
• Lanai Field House
The National Weather Service said deep tropical moisture moving over the state in a narrow band was bringing the potential for moderate to heavy showers, with rainfall possibly continuing into Friday.
Residents are urged to remain alert for changing weather conditions and possible flooding.
For updated road closures, visit www.mauicounty.gov/genasys. Park closure information is available at www.mauicounty.gov/parks.
For the latest weather information, visit https://www.weather.gov/hfo/. Residents can subscribe to Genasys and MEMA alerts at https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.