HANALEI — An incoming swell is throwing a wrench into relief efforts on the North Shore more than a week after record-breaking rains caused devastating flooding and landslides that have trapped people in Wainiha and Haena.
“The first in a series of north northwest swells is expected to arrive on Thursday, peak on Friday and then lower gradually on Saturday,” said Derek Wroe, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in a Tuesday area forecast.
A strong low-pressure system is expected to develop north of the islands this weekend and surf heights around that time and early into next week will be dependent upon where the center of that low-pressure system occurs.
“Current guidance suggests advisory level surf from this, but confidence in surf heights remains rather low since much will depend on the strength of the low and the fetch orientation,” he said.
Surf heights are predicted from four to eight feet over the weekend, with the swell building starting today.
That could affect the seaborne supply train of boats carrying necessities into the flood-affected areas of Wainiha and Haena and Kauai residents are bolstering efforts now so the people in the area will be supplied through the swell.
“Large surf is on the way and all boating operations could stop for days,” said Malama Kauai’s Megan Fox. “Now is the window to stock up some reserves and get through several days without daily transport and this means an even larger volume of supplies being brought in to unload.”
Food and supplies that are brought in by boat through the already rough waters are delivered at the food pantry at the YMCA and the only operational restaurant in that area, Opakapaka.
The boat docking station is at Makua Beach and volunteers and residents have to then carry supplies 300 yards to the public beach access for the estimated 800 remaining residents and animals.
Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) have landed on the list of needs for flood relief efforts because of that, according to Malama Kauai.
“Large UTVs will completely solve the present logistical problem,” Fox said. “Volunteers wishing to assist in the heavy-duty cleanup efforts can report to Hanalei Courthouse by 9 a.m. daily.”
Meanwhile, more rainfall is expected around the western half of the state, with predictions of about an inch and an expectation that the peak will be on Friday.
Forecasters say that’s just below the April normal.
“We will have to watch out for the potential of heavy showers, mainly over the western half of the island chain,” Wroe said.
He continued: “The greatest probability for this rainfall looks to be from Kauai to Moloaki during this time.”
