Uncommon Knowledge
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A warning has been issued for a “Kona Low” which has hit Hawaii and several of its islands which are set for a “multi-day heavy rain event.”
The seasonal cyclone developed over the state on Tuesday night, leading to flood advisories being posted for Kauai, Oahu and Maui in particular.
“Excessive rainfall and flash flooding is a concern” in these places, the National Weather Service (NWS) said in its most recent area forecast discussion.
Forecasters went on to describe the “multi-day rain event” as “like a fire hose shooting water.”
A “Kona Low” is a tropical storm that turns the wind around in the opposite direction, bringing moisture-heavy air.
Its showers are expected to increase throughout Wednesday, especially over the western half of the state, with heavy bands of rain developing with embedded thunderstorms. These will start over Oahu and move eastward towards Maui County by the evening.
The NWS said: “Wednesday night into Thursday looks to the time period for the potential for flash flooding is the highest.
“Due to the widespread rain event, large rises should be expected over streams.
“A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire state starting Wednesday, but for the Wednesday and Thursday time frame, the greatest chance for flooding impacts will be over Oahu and Maui County with Big Island seeing the least chance for flooding impacts.”
Flood advisories have been posted for Hawaii island and the islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui through 4:30 pm. Radar indicated heavy rain over parts of the state with rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Showers should trend down in the evening. Issued: 2 PM HST pic.twitter.com/SKj51HovEf
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) May 15, 2024
Thursday and Thursday night could see a slight decrease in rain rates, but “a steady stream of moisture with prolonged periods of moderate to locally heavy rain will persist around Oahu and Maui County throughout the day.”
By Friday, the “Kona Low” will have begun shifting westward and drier winds will develop over the eastern part of the state—this will decrease the flooding dangers but showers are still possible.
Places like Kauai, in the west, will likely see “persistent showery weather” by this point, although not as widespread as the east will have seen over the next two days.
Even more water is set to be pulled towards Kauai and Oahu, “possibly even in excess of two inches,” the NWS said. This means “significant flooding impacts over Kauai this weekend.”
People have been warned that there may be property damage in urban or low-lying spots due to runoff, with the possibility of landslides in steep areas.
Honolulu’s Flood Watch says: “You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
“Remember that it does not have to be raining at your location for flash flooding to occur. If you notice signs of heavy rain or thunderstorms upslope, move quickly away from flood-prone areas.”
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Radar shows heavy rain over Oahu earlier today.
UPDATE: 6:45 p.m.
The flood watch for Kauai, Oahu, and Niihau remains in effect until late Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
”A cold front stalling over the western Hawaiian islands through Monday will increase rainfall activity across the western half of the state,” the updated flood watch says. “These showers may become locally heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.”
NWS forecasters said “flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff.”
Forecasters said that a front that has stalled out near Oahu “will hold its position through the afternoon before moving slowly back to the north and west tonight and Monday. This will bring continued chances for moderate to heavy rain to the western end of the state through tomorrow. “
They said the chance of rain will decrease Monday night into Tuesday, but returns Tuesday night into Wednesday “as the remains of the current front fuse with a new one and they move back into the western part of the state.”
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However, the weather service forecasters note, “Confidence in location is not as high with this next system, as guidance has trended away from bringing it as far east as Oahu.”
Heavy rain across Oahu today causes localized flooding, including on Queen Street, which which was shut this afternoon between Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.
3:42 p.m.
The flood advisory of Oahu will expire at 3:45 p.m. today.
Radar indicates that heavy rain has diminished for now, so the flood advisory has been canceled.
Meanwhile, a flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.
2:30 p.m.
A high surf warning has been issued for the west-facing shores of leeward Hawaii island, while a high surf advisory has been issued for the north- and west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Niihau, and the north-facing shores of Maui.
A large, medium period west-northwest swell between 290 and 300 degrees is building this afternoon along portions of the north- and west-facing shores. Surf is expected to peak late this evening then gradually lower Monday afternoon.
The high surf warning for leeward Hawaii island is in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday. Expect dangerously large breaking waves of up to 12 feet. Surf will build late tonight and peak Monday afternoon.
“Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides,” forecasters report.
EARLIER COVERAGE
Oahu is under a flood advisory until 3:45 p.m. today following flooding caused by excessive rainfall.
“Ponding of water in urban areas is likely. Minor flooding on roads, poor drainage areas, and in streams. Some low-water crossings may become impassable,” according to National Weather Service forecasters.
At 12:50 p.m. today, the radar indicated areas of heavy rain developing and traveling northeast of Oahu.
“While there may be a brief lull in rainfall, a larger batch of showers is moving up from the southwest and is expected to impact the island for the next few hours,” according to forecasters.
Rain was falling at a rate 0.5 to 1.1 inches per hour with the possibility of 2 inches per hour. The entire island of Oahu is expected to experience flooding, according to NWS.
The advisory may be extended beyond 3:45 p.m. if flooding persists.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The JAL Honolulu Marathon kicks off at Ala Moana Boulevard.
Hawaii News Now celebrates the 53nd anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon with a special edition of Sunrise.
We’ll be tracking runners throughout the entire course, sharing heartfelt stories from competitors, and going behind the scenes to spotlight dedicated volunteers — from malasada makers to medical crews — who help make this massive event possible.
Join us for live coverage throughout the 26.2-mile course on Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at 6 a.m. only on Hawaii News Now.
Click here to track a runner.
Tsegay Weldibanos from Eritrea came in first place in the elite men’s division with a time of 2:13:41.
He beat out last year’s winner by less than a minute.
And in the women’s elite division, Calli Hauger-Thackery, from Great Britain, came in first place with a time of 2:30:44.
She also beat out last year’s winner by a tight margin.
For the second year in a row, Kota Hokinoue came in first place for the marathon’s men’s wheelchair division.
The course goes through downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace and the Christmas lights, through Waikiki and climbs up and around Diamond Head, before heading out through Kahala and out to Hawaii Kai. Turning back after Hawaii Kai toward Kahala and Honolulu, the course passes Diamond Head again on the ocean side before finishing in Kapiolani Park.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island will commemorate the arrival of the first 15 Filipinos to Hawaii back in 1906.
A free Sakada Day Celebration in Hilo will take place on Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor the contributions of the Filipino plantation workers who sparked a wave of migration.
“Filipinos are actually a large group here in Hawaii, lot of times things like this are actually tend to be a little neglected,” said Iris Viacrusis, co-chair of the Sakada Day Celebration.
This year’s event will feature a lei presentation at 9 a.m. at the statue at Keaau Community Center, followed by lunch, entertainment and a presentation to three descendants of sakadas: Sandra Claveria, Lorraine Rodero Inouye and Angel Pilago.
Two exhibits will also be displayed for guests to learn more about the sakadas — one will feature stories of the sakadas’ legacy and the other will showcase cultural items and clothing from Viacrusis’ collection.
Dec. 20 was proclaimed Sakada Day under Gov. David Ige in 2015.
Event organizers are preparing for next year’s 120th anniversary of the sakadas in Hawaii.
Meantime, on Oahu, a free Sakada Day Celebration is taking place today, Dec. 13, at Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center for Philippine Studies and Filipino Curriculum Project organize the annual gathering, which honors the resilience, contributions, and cultural legacy of sakadas, migrant plantation workers whose hard work, courage, and spirit continue to shape the Filipino American experience today.
High school students will take part in stage performances, visual presentations, education booths and a fashion show.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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