Kaua’i soaked by heavy rains

LIHU’E — Kaua’i was drenched by heavy rains once again on Monday, causing landslides and minor flooding in some areas. Lihu’e Airport picked up more than 6.5 inches of rain from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Landslides trapped two hikers on the Kalalau Trail near Hanakoa Valley in Na Pali, near the six-mile-marker on the 11-mile trail. Between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Monday, the two visitors were forced to flag down a helicopter when the trail became impassable, and Air 1 had to airlift them back to Ke’e Beach, said Cyndi Mei Ozaki, County of Kaua’i spokeswoman.

The National Weather Service predicted drier weather today, as the low pressure system bringing the rain moves down the island chain by Wednesday.

An urban and small stream flood advisory was issued for O’ahu and Kaua’i yesterday. Because the ground was already soaked from the weekend rains, minor flooding was expected in low lying areas on both islands.

National Weather Service lead forecaster Tim Craig said Kaua’i should have seen improvement by early Monday evening, but Maui County will have to wait a little longer.

Craig said an unstable air mass will stall over Maui and dump heavy showers through Tuesday night. The Big Island will also experience some heavy rains.

The air mass over the islands is very moist and unstable, but drier air is located behind the front, the weather service said.

“For Kaua’i, the heavy precipitation had ended,” Craig said on Monday. “Winds have already turned around to the north, and will gradually swing around to northeast tradewinds by Wednesday.”

Lihu’e Airport picked up the most amount of rain over the two days, while areas from Kapahi to Wainiha picked up between two and three inches of rain, Craig said.

Even the usually-dry Makaha Ridge, which overlooks the Mana Plain, picked up over one-and-a-half inches of rain in 24 hours 2 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. Monday, he said.

Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252).