LIHU‘E — A confluence of a strong low pressure system and low pressure trough produced heavy rainfall and flash flooding over parts of the main Hawaiian Islands in the waning days of January.
Heavy rainfall pounded the island chain from Jan. 26-30 with a high of 30.78 inches recorded at West Wailuaiki in the County of Maui in the five-day period. The County of Maui also produced the second and third wettest totals, according to data compiled by the National Weather Service Office in Honolulu.
Kilohana on Kaua‘i ranked fourth at 17.82 inches of rainfall in the period. Pu‘u Kukui in Maui ranked fifth with 15.76 inches, followed by Mohihi Crossing on Kaua‘i with 13.18 inches.
Mount Wai‘ale‘ale on Kaua‘i, which is often referred to as the wettest place on Earth because it boasts an average annual rainfall of more than 400 inches, posted a total of 8.74 inches in the five-day period. The rainfall totals are considered preliminary.
“Heavy rainfall initially affected the windward slopes of Haleakala (County of Maui) on January 26. Rainfall spread to all of the slopes on Haleakala on January 27 and persisted through most of the day,” the National Weather Service said.
The heavy rainfall led to flooding in a number of areas, including Pi‘ilani Highway on the southeastern flank of Haleakala, which was shuttered near Nu‘u.
“On January 28, rainfall shifted west to the island of Moloka‘i. Flooding closed Kamehameha V Highway in Kaunakakai, Kawela and Kamalo. Flood waters also got into several homes in the Kawela area,” the National Weather Service said.
Rainfall shifted back west a day later, mainly affecting the slopes of Ko‘olau Range on O‘ahu with minor impact before rainfall took aim at Kaua‘i.
“The island of Kaua‘i finally got its turn at heavy rainfall on January 30. The first episode of rain mainly affected the windward slopes before sunrise. The rainfall was enough to close Hanalei River to overflow and close Kuhio Highway for a few hours,” the National Weather Service said.
“An intense band of rainfall, lurking offshore to the south all day, finally moved onshore during the late afternoon. Fortunately, it moved fast enough across the island to mitigate flooding in most areas. It was, however, enough to overflow Hanalei River again and close Kuhio Highway for a second time in a day.”
The rainy season on Kaua‘i extends from November through March, with the month of January typically being the wettest period.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
Odd— think monitor at Wai’ale’ale must be broken… we know there was much more than 8 inches during that period of time!!!!