CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Umbrellas crowded sidewalks in Chinatown yesterday due to the persistent rain.

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Wet weather
forecast to last
through weekend

The rain could reduce the risk
of fires from New Year's fireworks

Current Hawaii weather

The storm system that hit Oahu with heavy rains, lightning and thunder last night is supposed to hang around through New Year's Day, according to the National Weather Service.

An average of 2 inches of rain fell in some parts of Central and Leeward Oahu overnight, with some areas like Honolulu Airport and Kunia recording more than 3 inches.

There were no reported problems with flooding, just ponding on some roadways. Kauai also was soaked overnight, with several gauges recording up to an inch and a half of rain.

The system that dumped rain on Oahu had moved over Maui County by midmorning but was not expected to bring heavy rain.

Rains were expected to subside somewhat this afternoon, but more thunderstorms tomorrow and Thursday are expected as another system moves in from the west.

Though Friday is supposed to be a bit drier, meteorologists are still predicting strong Kona winds of 25 mph to 35 mph on New Year's Eve.

"It'll be a wet and windy week," said NWS meteorologist Bob Farrell.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM In Chinatown yesterday, Yasuo Konno waited with his dog Pudding as Tamotsu Ono slept in his motorized cart. Weather is especially difficult for homeless people like Ono, 82, who says he is a World War II veteran and has been on the streets for nine years.

"Then on Saturday and Sunday, we'll see a lot of rain once again."

Wet weather this close to New Year's Eve has always been a welcome forecast for the Honolulu Fire Department. The rains help contain fireworks-related fires.

However, HFD officials are cautioning people to be careful when using fireworks in strong winds.

"The wind could be a problem. If you're lighting fireworks, you need to remember to light them on a flat surface, away from combustibles and buildings," HFD spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said.

Kane said aerial fireworks, which are illegal, are dangerous because their trajectory cannot be controlled. "If you add in wind, then it's more unpredictable, and you've got wind fanning the flames.

"Hopefully, people remain vigilant, and everything will be wet from the rain," Kane said.

"Even the smallest fire could turn into something tragic," he said.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Part-Pomeranian Nana kept dry with a raincoat put on her by owner Y. Aotani.