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.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Carissa Moore is the most decorated competitive surfer in Hawaii’s history, topping former World Champs John John Florence, Andy Irons and Sunny Garcia.
And she’s the only Hawaii surfer to ever win Olympic gold in surfing.
Of course, Duke Kahanamoku won multiple medals, but those were in swimming.
“It was super, super special to you know, I felt like through the Olympic journey, last time, I felt like I got to learn a lot about Duke Kahanamoku and his legacy and feel a deeper connection and pride for where I come from, the place treally raised me, the waves, my community and being able to like, represent and surf for something bigger than myself,” Moore said.
Moore competed in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, which was held in 2021 due to the pandemic, and became the first-ever winner of the Olympic gold medal in women’s shortboard surfing.
“Obviously getting to win in Tokyo in 2021 was so so special. But so many things had to fall into place. And so I don’t really feel too much pressure to have to back it up,” she said. “The Olympics far exceeded my expectations that I had, it was the first time so I didn’t really know what was going to happen or how it was gonna change surfing or, you know, if it was just gonna be like another CT event.”
“But it definitely did feel like a bigger stage.”
That’s in the rear view mirror now. Since the landmark victory, Moore has been able to get some me-time.
Previous Coverage: Carissa Moore is stepping away from competitive surfing, but she left a lasting impact
“So I, I’ve actually got to have a few months to just relax and go to Japan with my Nana and my sister. And, you know, I decided to step away from competing full time this year to focus on the Olympics, but also have some time to like, do other things. So it’s been a nice balance of both,” Moore explained.
In preparation for the Olympics, Moore has been logging a considerable amount of time training down in Tahiti on a wave that is not for the faint of heart.
“It’s one of the most intense, intimidating, challenging waves to surf, you really have to have a high level of skill to like read the wave and navigate the steep takeoff. And obviously, there’s a huge risk involved. There’s a shallow reef and you could get very hurt, but you could also have the ride of your life. Comfortable level is, you know, it’s getting there. I think the more than I spend time at the wave and hopefully learn and, and you know, just get the reps up, that will help me to feel more confident. But at this point, I don’t, I don’t know if you can ever feel like 100% comfortable,” Moore said.
Then there’s the competition, the best of the best will be there, including one Tahitian woman who has the luxury of a home break advantage.
“Everyone’s earned their spot and are very, very talented and experienced,” Moore said. “And I’m gonna have to bring my A game if I want to do well there and put in the work.”
Among Moore’s accolades is 11 national titles, five world titles and the Olympic gold title. While she’s a fierce competitor in the water, Moore says it takes a lot to tap into that side of her.
“It’s definitely not natural for me to like, just be super competitive, or confrontational. But like, you have to have a little bit of that like hunger and drive and fire and like get up close and personal at times,” she added.
When asked if another Olympic gold medal could a be trigger back to competing for the world championship again, she responded:
“I don’t know honestly, I haven’t really thought too much further than this summer I’m just trying to really simplify things… I will definitely give myself some space to kind of figure out what I want to do next.”
Win or lose, Moore’s next move will involve her Moore Aloha Foundation which aims to help girls and women navigate the waves of mental health and wellness, and create a life of positivity, purpose and passion.
Her message to young people?
“If I had any advice to the young ones coming up, or just anyone in general, I think just this belief that anything really is possible with hard work and dedication and a lot of love and a lot of aloha. Yeah, you can achieve your wildest dreams. I truly believe that.”
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In the year since the Lahaina wildfire disaster, the head of Hawaii County’s Civil Defense Agency says he’s implemented additional training for emergency management staff with a focus on messaging and the use of the public alert warning system.
Additionally, the Hawaii County Fire Department now ups its staffing during red flag warnings. And the county’s emergency operations center is also activated earlier.
Fire mitigation projects are underway, too. “The Department of Transportation has put in about 30 miles worth of fuel breaks around some high fire danger areas,” including in Kohala Ranch Estates, Kailapa, Waimea and Waikoloa, said Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno.
The community is also stepping up to make a difference.
Seventy-three volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization, spent 4,000 hours bolstering this fuel break on the mauka side of Waikoloa Village.
And something unique: A portion of Waikoloa Village’s homeowners association fees are solely used for fire protection.
The county says it’s hardened the Hulu Street escape route, a second road out of the community, that’s utilized in emergencies.
The Roth Administration is also working with private land owners to create a third emergency road that would allow egress from Waikoloa Village to Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Right now, the neighborhood is in the process of expanding to the north. With blustery winds and dry conditions a part of everyday life there, the head of the community’s Fire Wise Committee told us she’s against the new development saying it’s not safe.
“That’s a fire trap on the north side until another road is built,” said Firewise Committee Chair Shelly Aina. “Anyone who lives on that side is going to have to fight all the traffic to get out.”
HNN Investigates took that concern to Mayor Mitch Roth, asking if he thought it was a good idea to build more homes in the back of Waikoloa Village. “It’s kind of like a catch-22,” he said. If you don’t build those things (houses), the owners of the land won’t build it (the road).”
Roth says developers have agreed to put in the road and that ground was broken on the project in May. As for when it’s expected to be completed, Roth said, “We’re hoping the emergency access road happens within the next year. That’s their timeline that they’ve given us.”
One thing everyone agrees on: When it comes to disaster preparedness, government can’t do it alone. “Folks need to plan for themselves as well,” Magno told HNN Investigates.
“What are you going to do? Are you going to shelter in place? Can you shelter in place? Do you have defensible space that your house will be protected or do you need to leave.”
For a comprehensive list of actions you can take to ready your home for a wildfire, click here.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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