Windy weather whips
through the islandsGusts nearing 60 mph are recorded
on Maui and the Big Island
Forecasters are expecting strong winds to continue buffeting the state today after gusts of up to 60 mph were recorded at parts of the Big Island and Maui yesterday.
High winds toppled two Verizon Hawaii poles on Kamehameha Highway near Helemano Plantation at about 1 p.m. yesterday, forcing police to close the road for about an hour.
Verizon spokeswoman Ann Yoshida said no telephone service was disrupted because of the downed poles.
Gusts in Nanakuli left a Hawaiian Electric Co. pole leaning over Farrington Highway near Nanaikapono Elementary School.
The incident left about 2,000 residents in Waianae and Makaha without electricity for about an hour and backed up traffic in the area after police closed the highway for more than two hours while crews fixed the pole.
The weather service has issued a wind advisory until this morning for Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and the Big Island.
Forecaster Peter Donaldson said strong tradewinds coupled with high gusts are expected until Tuesday, but wind speeds are likely to start decreasing tomorrow.
Winds of more than 30 mph were reported at Honolulu Airport, and parts of the Big Island were experiencing gusts of almost 60 mph.
The weather service also said gusts of more than 50 mph were recorded at Maalaea Bay on Maui.
The weather service has advised residents to secure loose objects subject to damage from high winds.
