The Big Island managed to escape relatively unscathed from a couple of low pressure systems that threatened some severe weather over the past 10 days.
The kona low pressure system that drenched Oahu on Thursday and originally was predicted to cause flooding on the Big Island evaded Hawaii Island altogether.
Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday issued an emergency proclamation which would allow the state adjutant general to activate units of the Hawaii National Guard to work in coordination with local authorities, emergency management agencies and other relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the kona low storm.
“We are taking our preparedness seriously. The National Guard is on-hand to respond swiftly and effectively to any emergencies that arise from the kona low storm conditions,” said Green.
While the emergency proclamation is effective statewide through Wednesday, a press release mentioned that impacts were expected from sustained rainfall “particularly in the City and County of Honolulu, Kauai County and Maui County.”
“Isolated areas may receive eight to 10 inches of rain, including thunderstorms and gusty winds posing a significant risk of flooding, landslides and associated impacts,” the statement said.
Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the adjutant general, urged all in Hawaii “to stay informed, follow safety advisories and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.”
Despite the warnings,
Hilo International Airport recorded just 0.04 inches of rain in the 24-hours ending at 8 a.m. Friday. Rain was heavier on the southern end of the island, with Pahala receiving 0.68 inches of rain and Kapapala Ranch tallying 0.6 inches.
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport received no rain during that time period.
Hilo was windy Friday, with gusts up to 25 mph, and that afternoon a power outage hit the Tribune-Herald newsroom for several minutes after 1 p.m.
Glenwood residents reported about an eight-hour power outage Thursday night into Friday morning.
As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, there were three isolated outages in East Hawaii — in Hilo, in Pepeekeo and in Keonepoko — according to Hawaiian Electric. There was no estimated time of repair given.
Meanwhile, on Oahu, there were significant downpours on Thursday, In the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Friday, Maunawili in windward Oahu had received 7.94 inches of rain, while Waimanalo, also on the windward side, measured 6.44 inches. In leeward Oahu, Waiawa recorded 5.49 inches.
Flooding caused traffic issues, as well as a wastewater discharge Thursday morning into Palolo Stream in Honolulu.
The state Department of Health estimated that 18,000 gallons of raw wastewater spilled near the corner of Palolo Avenue and Kaau Street.
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services blamed the spill on a “high flow as a result of sequential storm events with extremely heavy rainfall.”
Oahu was dropped from the kona low flooding watch on Friday as the front moved westward, leaving only the islands of Kauai and Niihau under the watch.
The latest weather bullet-dodging for the Big Island happened a week after a thunderstorm rocked Hilo briefly but hard on the afternoon of May 10.
In downtown Hilo, there was little if any time between lighting strikes and resultant loud thunderclaps.
The Tribune-Herald experienced flickering lights and brief phone and internet outages that afternoon, while there were reports of flooding in low-lying areas and traffic light outages.
Hilo International Airport recorded 1.8 inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. May 11.
Kona’s airport received 0.51 inches during that time period.
Leeward areas at higher elevations received unaccustomed rainfall totals in that 24-hour period. Kohala Ranch recorded 4.5 inches of rain, Kahua Ranch tallied 3e.82 inches. Waikoloa, normally windy and arid, measured 3.76 inches.
That first low was forecast to sit over the island for a spell, and that prediction turned out to be accurate
Upslope Hilo and Puna received most of its rainfall from the first low-pressure system during the weekend.
In the 24-hour period ending May 13, Waiakea Uka received 6.94 inches, while Pahoa and Mountain View reported 5.78 and 5.12 inches. Hilo airport recorded another 1.73 inches. And in the 24-hour period ending May 14, Ka‘u found itself the recipient of the deluge. Pahala received 6.2 inches of rain while Kapapala Ranch recorded 1.72 inches.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
