LIHU‘E — Hanalei Elementary School will be closed today due to continued heavy rains which have caused dangerous road conditions and the closure of Hanalei Bridge, states a Department of Education release Tuesday night. The national weather service in Honolulu
LIHU‘E — Hanalei Elementary School will be closed today due to continued heavy rains which have caused dangerous road conditions and the closure of Hanalei Bridge, states a Department of Education release Tuesday night.
The national weather service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood warning for the island of Kaua‘i until 8:15 a.m. today. Due to roadway flooding, the Hanalei Bridge is closed until further notice.
All other public schools on Kaua‘i will be open, said William Arakaki, the Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent, in the release.
The school bus transportation service from Ha‘ena to Hanalei will not be operating on Wednesday due to the bridge closure and road conditions.
This will affect students who reside in Hanalei to Ha‘ena and attend the Kapa‘a Middle School and the Kapa‘a High School.
Arakaki said the Department of Education is in close contact with county and state civil defense and continues to closely monitor the weather situation.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to reports regarding weather conditions.
Teachers and staff who are unable to report to work due to the bridge closure are asked to contact their supervisor.
Due to rising waters in the Hanalei River, Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge has been closed and motorists should avoid the area until the road has been re-opened.
Additionally, a water conservation notice has been issued for Hanalei while Department of Water crews work to identify the reason for low water pressure in the area.
Hanalei residents are asked to conserve water until the problem has been resolved.
Flash flood warning
At 6:07 p.m. Tuesday, radar showed persistent heavy rain over the windward side of the island. The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.
Ponding in the roadway is reported in the northbound lane of Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of Papaloa Road and the Kapa‘a Roundabout, according to the county. Ponding was cleared at the Kamalu Road and Kolopua Junction bridge and the Kuhio Highway fronting Wailua Golf Course, the county reports.
Mud has been cleared on the roadway at the Kuhio and Kapule highway junction in Lihu‘e.
Flash flooding is very dangerous. Remember that it does not have to be raining heavily where you are for flash flooding to occur.
This warning may need to be extended if flash flooding persists.
