NOHW40 PHFO 190120
PNSHFO
HIZ001-003-004-006-007-009>011-015>018-022-023-026>054-200130-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
320 PM HST Sat Feb 18 2023

...KONA LOW BRINGS ANOTHER BIG FLOOD EVENT TO THE STATE OF HAWAII...

A kona low that developed near the main Hawaiian Islands focused a
band of heavy rainfall over the southeast flank of the Big Island.
Flooding produced numerous impacts over the Kau, Puna, and
South Hilo Districts. rainfall totals. The initial rain bands started 
moving over the Big Island late on Thursday, February 16, then 
intensified on the morning of Friday, February 17. In the Kau 
District, Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road, and Kaalaiki 
Road closed due to flooding, and remain closed at this time. Flood 
prone roads in Hilo and the Puna District also closed. 

Heavy rainfall also affected the windward slopes of the Koolau Range 
on Oahu, and the east- and southeast-facing slopes of Haleakala on 
Maui around the same time as the Big Island flooding impacts. 
No significant impacts were reported on either island.

Rainfall continued over the Big Island through Friday night, then
intensified early Saturday morning. Automated rain gages at Hilo
Airport, Mountain View, and Kapapala Ranch recorded rates greater
than 3 inches per hour, which kept existing roads closed and
resulted in additional closures in the Puna District. A band of
heavy rainfall from the southeast also affected the island of
Kauai on Saturday. Flooding from the rainfall closed Maalo Road
and stalled multiple vehicles near the Waimea Falls Lookout. Hauaala
Road at the "Cement Bridge" also closed due to the overflow of Kapaa
Stream. Water levels in Hanalei River and South Fork Wailua River 
became high, but peaked before causing impacts.

This heavy rain event is ongoing and is expected to continue into
Saturday night and possibly Sunday over the Big Island.

The following are notable rainfall totals for the 2-day period
ending at 8 AM HST, February 18. All amounts are in inches. These
totals are considered preliminary for information purposes only.

A final tabulation of the event rainfall totals will be issued on
Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Location                             2-day total

Big Island
Nene Cabin                              19.43
Keaumo                                  16.15
Kapapala Ranch                          13.40
Mountain View                           12.08
Honolii Stream (USGS)                   10.07
Kulani NWR                               9.92
Lower Kahuku                             8.77
Pahoa                                    7.99

Maui
West Wailuaiki (USGS)                    3.64

Kauai
Mount Waialeale (USGS)                   3.01

$$

Kodama