http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/16/news/story06.html

Four back-to-back storms over the last three weeks have dumped more rain on parts of the islands than they normally would have seen in months, and drenched Kauai with up to six times more rain than normal for all of March, the National Weather Service said yesterday.

The news comes as forecasters are expecting heavy rains to stick around through the weekend. The weather service also says the possibility of heavy showers will remain in the forecast for all islands for at least 10 more days.

The series of storms to hit the state has caused widespread flooding, rockfalls, sewage spills and road closures from Kauai to the Big Island.

On Tuesday night, a landslide at the Wilson Tunnel on Likelike Highway caused some rocks and mud to fall on the road. Crews will close the town-bound lanes of the tunnel today and tomorrow to prevent further rockfalls.

Homes on the Windward Coast of Oahu sustained as much as $5 million in damage after flash flooding late last month and in early March. Damage totals for other affected areas have not yet been calculated.

A flash-flood watch is in effect for the state through Friday, but could be extended, said Andy Nash, director of operations for the weather service office in Honolulu.

Heavy rains settled over parts of Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island yesterday. Lihue got more than 4.8 inches in the 24-hour period ending at 5:45 p.m. yesterday, while Wailua saw 4.6 inches.

The fourth storm in the series started Monday, forecasters said. Other storms hit from Feb. 19 to 24, March 1 to 3 and March 8 to 10.

For Hanalei, the last three weeks has been the wettest on record since 1907 -- two years after meteorologists starting recording rainfall totals for the town, Nash said.

Lihue received 25 inches over the three-week period, compared with just an inch last year. It's the wettest February and March for Lihue since 1950.

"We've just had round after round after round of heavy rain," Nash said. "For Kauai, it's certainly up there in the record books."

The record-high totals on Kauai come on the heels of an unusually dry 2005 for the island. In December, Mount Waialeale got just 1.67 inches of rain, while Lihue Airport saw just .08 inches -- both record lows.

Over the last three weeks, Mount Waialeale has seen more than 106 inches, and Lihue Airport has gotten 28.9 inches.

"Kauai has taken the brunt of the most widespread, excessive rainfall," the weather service said. "Even the normally drier leeward sides have been much wetter than normal."

On Oahu, Poamoho saw the biggest rainfall total over the three-week period, with 63 inches. Wilson Tunnel got 39.1 inches -- a far second, but a more than six-fold increase from 2005. Punaluu, Luluku and the Waihee Pump rounded out the top five rainfall totals for Oahu.

Waiakea Uka and Glenwood topped the totals for the Big Island, getting 43.6 inches and 42.9 inches, respectively -- up to four times higher than normal. Mountain View saw 37.8 inches, compared with 4 inches last year.

All the storms were created by low pressure systems northwest of the islands, which produce unstable air and tap into tropical moisture, Nash said. A high pressure system to the east of the state has blocked the storms, stopping them from moving quickly across land.

"Storm after storm seems to follow this path," Nash said, adding that there has been little break between the heavy systems -- keeping the ground saturated and prone to flooding.

As long as it stops by next Thurs. when we arrive. Thats all I care about!!

Trust me, this is going to affect YOU!

The past, present, and anticipated rains through next week on Kauai have damaged the island and its infrastructure in huge ways, beyond anything that has been in the media. The impact, while not even fully known yet, will without question be felt by residents and visitors for many months if not longer. The ocean and beaches will be unusable for at least weeks or perhaps months. The ability of the government here to respond to the scope of this situation has been far, far exceeded.

JT, I'd appreciate it if you could give some examples as it is hard for me to get a complete picture from the media. I can imagine that runoff from the rivers would at least cloud the ocean or perhaps cause contamination with leptosporosis and the the beaches will be full of debris. Traffic would be bad with roads being damaged and reconstruction. Other infrastructure and buildings might also be affected. Is there any way for a mainlander to help ?

Perhaps it is too early to think about this and I apologize if it is but I also wonder if this is going to significantly affect visitors perceptions. Could this be a turning point where people lose interest in Kauai, the property bubble pops and developers decide to put development on hold ? Wishful thinking ?

Alan

I think it is too early to know the scope of the damage. It isn't possible to drive everywhere right now and even see the situation, so I'm basing it on talking with friends around the island, and what we've seen in our limited drives. Other people too seem to be staying home and not driving (a smart thing). The roads that I have been on are severely potholed, damaged, and partially washed out and/or covered. This morning the Poipu golf course had a huge! river running through the middle of it.

A fund has abeen set up to help people affected: http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/

As for changing long-term visitors' perceptions, I would say no. Only perhaps those people who are here now and in the next few months. We tend to be a repeat-business island, and I think those visitors will definitely be back. Development throughout the island is going forward in the biggest way ever, and that is not going to change. Real estate might suffer some short term storm damage-related impact, as well as a slow down and potential down-side based on west coast real estate. However most people I talk with don't see Kauai real estate prices decreasing due to the extremely limited availability, and continuing high demand, based on many sound factors.

I'd guess that we're just in a very big mess for the next month or so, to a lesser degree the next several months as we try to clean up, and the next year or so, as we repair the infrastructure. Just my opinion of course, based on what I see, read and hear.

Today was supposed to be much better weather, but as of this moment is sure doesn't look that way. If the Waita (Koloa) reservoir fails, then the scope of the problems, at least on the south shore, could increase dramatically.

jtkauai, my prayers are with all there. Thanks for the link about how to help. I'll be sure to let others know.

It has been almost sunny this morning on the Big Island with a dry (dry for Hawaii) breeze. Really lifted the spirits (and the sounds of lawnmowers are everywhere )

Hope the Garden Isle catches a break soon.

Well besides the road being washed out due to the damn break, you can pretty much forget about all the hiking trails, which will be seas of mud or dangerously unpassable. The golf courses are probably waterlogged and unplayable. The beaches might dry out, but given there are so many other things to do on Kauai that are directly affected by the residual from these rains, I think any vacations there for the next 2-4 weeks are going to be affected in one way or another.

I think the priority should be on hoping the local residents can get their infrastructure fixed and their lives back to normal. As a survivor of too many hurricanes, I can honestly say I know what it feels like...and it don't feel too good

"I think the priority should be on hoping the local residents can get their infrastructure fixed and their lives back to normal."

I wholeheartedly agree. But, in an it's about me moment, I'm supposed to arrive in Kauai for a 10 day run starting on 3/25. Rented a cottage in Hanalei.
Can anyone lend any insight into the likelihood we'll be able to snorkel and see anything? The concept was to have my kids get to snorkel for their first time. Is that gonna happen? I realize my vacation plans are insignificant compared to what's happening there but any thoughts about the appropriateness of going on this trip are appreciated.

Right now, unless conditions changed, the road connecting Lihue to Hanalei is washed out - meaning, you cannot even drive to your cottage unless you fly into the Princeville airport and can rent a car there. So, you are making an assumption that the road will be fixed within a week.

Have you called the place you are renting from to get a current status? I am not on the island, so I can't elaborate as much as your hotelier or a fellow FTer who is there right now.

I guess I should have been more specific in that we are headed for Wailea, Maui. I assume things aren't as bad there. Hope things improve on Kauai soon.

^

I am also heading to Maui 3-22 (Wednesday) and no... things in Maui aren't 1/10th as bad as in Kauai. Sounds like the weather is expected to break back to some sun shine by mid-week next week.

Bad news about Kauai. I bet a tourist will be able to get a great deal, there, though... for the next several weeks.

POSTED: 9:07 am HST March 15, 2006
UPDATED: 2:11 pm HST March 17, 2006

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news...07/detail.html

Fehring Family Releases Statement - The Fehring family has several members missing. The family released a statement to the media on Friday:


"On behalf of the Fehring Ohana, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those who were staying at our home on Wailapa Road in Kilauea, and who were, along with three members of our immediate family, apparently swept away by the massive wall of water, which resulted from the failure of the Ka Loko Reservoir dam. While our personal loss from this horrific event is devastating, we recognize that it is no greater a tragedy than others are experiencing at this time. We extend our sincere mahalo to those who have surrounded us with their blessings, support and understanding. We especially appreciate the diligence and determination of all those who continue to search for the missing, and the kind assistance of the personnel at Kauai Hospice, for which we will be forever grateful.

This will be our only public announcement, and we ask for the cooperation of all in respecting our privacy at this time and during the trying weeks and months ahead.

Mahalo nui loa, Bruce Fehring"

Ground Search Resumes Teams resumed the search for five missing people in the debris and destruction left behind by the dam breach.

Current road closures: (Kekaha) Kokee Road, Akuu Road (Koloa) Maluhia Road and Waikomo Road

Names Of Missing - Authorities released the names of the missing people. They are: Daniel Arroyo, Alan Dingwall, Aurora Fehring, Rowan Fehring-Dingwall, Christina Macnees, Timothy Noonan and Wayne Rotstein. Most are residents of Wailapa Road in Kilauea, according to officials.

Officials are keeping one lane of Kuhio Highway opened. The road may not be fully opened for several months, according to state transportation officials.

The Hawaii Community Foundation established the fund, to help all flood victims -- especially those affected by Kauai's dam break. Donations can be made to "The Kauai Island Fund" and sent to 1164 Bishop St. Suite 800 Honolulu Hawaii, 96813, or call 387-2117.

The highway is open to the north shore, but it is one lane, shared. It is apparently going to be like that for some time to come (I heard months).

As for snorkeling, it usually takes about two weeks after the heavy rains stop for the water (and visibility) to return to near normal. So if the heavy rains are over, you may be okay. If they continue, well, maybe not.

I am so sorry for what has happened on Kauai. I am leaving Wednesday the 22nd for Oahu for five nights and then onto Maui for another thirteen nights. I have been in Hawaii for some horrible Kona storms and I was on Kauai when we drove from Princeville back down to the Hyatt and an hour later they had to close the roads because they were flooded out. It is not a pretty picture.

I hope this weather pattern is over by the time we get there. This is the first time we have had to wait a year before we could get back to the islands.

A couple of quick notes...

I don't want to alarm anyone, but one of the golden rules of ocean safety here in Hawai`i is never to so swimming in murky waters, especially after a rainstorm or near the mouths of streams or rivers. The reason for this is that sharks are known to be attracted to the increased food supply that may be in the runoff.

My thoughts and prayers are to all on Kaua`i who have been impacted by the storms It's going to be a while before things are back to normal there (and for some, it never will be). Still, the spirit there is strong and the residents have recovered from two major hurricanes in the past 20 years. Please continue to visit Kaua`i.

Lastly, yesterday was a typical kona winds day here in Honolulu. It started out partly cloudy and got really muggy and cloudy in the afternoon. Today (3/18) seems like a more normal light trade wind day and there's more sun.