Gov declares disaster

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday signed a state disaster proclamation after high winds, heavy rains and flooding battered the islands last week.

Run in the sun Runners in the Honolulu Marathon can expect sunny skies and scattered showers this morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Birchard. Light tradewinds are expected with highs today in the mid-70s. Birchard said the rest of the week will likely feature normal tradewind weather.

The proclamation clears the way for counties to seek federal and state assistance and activates state loan programs for homeowners and businesses affected by the storm.

"We're still trying to assess damage across the state, and we've had teams out on Maui today," said state Civil Defense spokesman Ray Lovell.

Maui is seeking a federal disaster aid and the state proclamation is a first step, said county spokeswoman Mahina Martin.

"It was a triple threat with high winds, high surf and the flooding," Martin said, noting that damage assessment teams would continue to work today trying to reach remote areas on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Martin said the county may also ask for heavy equipment help from the Hawaii National Guard tomorrow to assist with cleanup.

The American Red Cross said 142 Maui residents were affected by the storm. The Hawaii chapter has provided more than $12,000 in aid to 10 families in Oahu's Leeward Coast, as well as Maui's Kihei and Kula areas.

Drinking water remained in short supply in some areas of Maui as workers repaired pipes in Kula damaged by the storm.

"We're encouraging everyone in the county to practice water conservation," Martin said.

Kauai got more rain Friday night through yesterday morning, but skies were clearing around the rest of the state.

"When we seen the clearing, when we seen the sun, I was happy," said Maile resident Guy Shimabukuro said. "I got kind of tired of rain already."

The Maliona Street resident was without power for about 2 1/2 days. It went out at 3 a.m. Tuesday while he was in the shower.

"It was rough, man. It was rough," he said in his car port where he was watching TV with his wife. "It's like just being on the beach. You can't go in the ice box freezer because you have to save whatever food you have."

Hawaiian Electric Company workers continued to restore power on Oahu. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, about 340 customers were still waiting for the electricity to return after the stormy weather that began Tuesday.

All but four customers in Kunia had power. Other pockets of outages were in Ewa Beach, Hauula, Hawaii Kai, Kahana, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kapahulu, McCully, Nanakuli, Niu, Nuuanu, Palolo, Wahiawa, Waialua, Waimea and Waianae.

The company added staffing this weekend to respond to customer calls. HECO Vice President Lynne Unemori said "in a few worst cases, some may not have power restored until Monday."

"We sincerely apologize for what they've had to deal with, although I know no words can make up for the fact that these people have been without electricity for an awfully long time," she said.

Meanwhile, the military closed off Kolekole Pass until further notice so it can clear the roadway of mud and debris from a Friday landslide.

The pass was opened to the public Friday morning to give Leeward residents an alternate route out of Waianae.

Oahu parks and golf courses continued to dry out yesterday. The normally busy Ala Wai golf course remained closed yesterday and could reopen today depending on conditions.