Heavy rain lashed Central Oahu and the Windward Coast last night as the National Weather Service extended a flash flood watch for all islands until 4 a.m. tomorrow.

 

Heavy Rain Warns Residents

 

 

Heavy rain was seen mostly on the windward side of the island and has residents cautious and prepared if conditions worsen.

 

[ Watch ]

 

 

 

 

  Kauai and Oahu residents will have a wet weekend, although the rain was expected to diminish as light tradewinds return tomorrow, forecasters said.

Recent rainfall on Oahu's North Shore might have led to a rockfall that forced the closure of Waimea Valley park early yesterday. Gail Chew, interim director of the park, said environmental assessment consultants found the hillside soil is soft from previous rain.

About 150 cubic yards of debris, including a car-size boulder, rolled down from the steep valley walls at about 6 a.m., blocking the entrance road. Chew said the slide forced cancellation of Makahiki events this weekend, including a concert.

The rockslide struck a utility pole, cutting electrical power to the park, which will remain closed until the debris can be cleared and safe entry assured, she said.

“;We are grateful that it was early in the morning and no one was in danger,”; said Chew. Security guards reported the fall.

The rockslide was not linked to heavy rainfall predicted for Oahu this weekend. No major damage from flooding had been reported last night.

Rain gauges in Kokee and Wainiha in northern Kauai registered more than an inch of rain per hour yesterday afternoon from a storm cell that remained nearly stationary.

Forecaster Maureen Ballard said conditions are favorable for thunderstorms, which are rare in Hawaii.

An upper-level cold front west of the islands will continue to destabilize the air mass over the islands.

“;That condition is combined with winds from the southeast bringing a lot of moisture up from the tropics,”; Ballard said.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed Iao Valley State Park on Maui for the weekend because of the possibility of flash flooding and landslides.

The department also canceled camping permits to Polipoli Springs State Park on Maui. Earlier in the week the department stopped issuing permits for the Na Pali Coast State Park and Kalalau Trail, and suspended camping at Kokee on Kauai.