CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jesus Zabanal stood among the flooding that overflowed from a nearby river at Kamehameha Highway in Waikane yesterday.
Oahu soaked by
weekend rainHomes are flooded and roads
closed by heavy showers
A river flowed yesterday morning under Jesus Zabanal's Waikane house, which sits 2 1/2 feet above ground. The stream poured from Kamehameha Highway and filled his yard, submerging lawn furniture in half a foot of water.
"We cannot sleep (Saturday night) because we are scared of the flood," he said.
Zabanal was not alone in the Waiahole-Waikane area, as heavy showers continued over East Oahu yesterday, pouring fresh water on ground already saturated from rain and pounding surf the day before. The rushing water kept Kamehameha Highway closed for most of the morning and under a few inches of water well after that.
The Honolulu Fire Department assisted 16 families with flooding problems between 2 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. yesterday. A power outage at 1,400 homes in Kaneohe near the Pohakea subdivision at 8:16 a.m. was repaired in about 45 minutes, Hawaiian Electric Co. said. "These people weather it out every time there's a storm," said Oahu Civil Defense District Coordinator Bruce Eguires. "Most of the people here are elderly, and they just pick up the pieces and continue on."
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Cars sprayed through a flooded area of the highway.
National Weather Service lead forecaster Tim Craig said the heavy showers moved across Oahu yesterday rather than stalling over the windward areas as they did Saturday. A chance of heavy showers was forecast for today and tomorrow for all islands.
A low-pressure system to the northwest yesterday caused the showers and was expected to move to the northeast today. The weather is expected to clear by Wednesday.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Windward Oahu had posted the highest amount of rain in the state for the previous 24 hours -- Ahuimanu measured 8.32 inches; Luluku, 6.05; Hakipuu Mauka, 6.19; Waihee, 7.68; and Wilson Tunnel, 5.84.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
People at Ala Moana Beach Park dealt with yesterday's rain in different ways. Kelle Murata slid into Lowell Reed during a volleyball game that quickly became an impromptu mud fight.
Kamehameha Highway, between Waihee Road and Kaalea Road, was partially closed at 2:30 a.m. yesterday and reopened at 11 a.m., though motorists still had to drive through water several inches deep. Kapaa Quarry Road was impassable from 2 to 4 a.m., and reopened at 7:30 a.m.
"The ground is so saturated with water, all it takes is a little bit more water and it'll get flooded again," Eguires said.
An urban small-stream flood advisory was canceled at 7:30 a.m. yesterday morning for East Oahu and eastern and northeastern Kauai. A high-surf advisory was in effect yesterday for east shores.
Waiahole-Waikane residents complained government agencies need to clear streams of clogging debris, which causes overflow, and address drainage problems because floodwaters flow directly from the highway onto low-lying properties.
Waikane papaya grower James Song was worried too much rain could destroy his crop, as it did last year.
"I pray, I hope not any more this rain," said Song.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Liper Otto, left, Akikin Pungupung, Larraine Guzman and John Jones stayed dry with their umbrellas.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
The rain did not stop visitors from sightseeing at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, but clouds blocked most of the view.
