Severe Weather Causes Closures, Cancellations

***Note: Update posted at 11:10 a.m. to include updated road information from Hawai’i Police Department.***

As of 11 a.m., Hawai’i County Civil Defense reports that the following roads are closed due to storm damage:

– Kohala Mountain Road.

– Wood Valley Road in Pahala.

– Highway 11 in Na’alehu near the 68 mile marker.

County and state road crews have begun the process of cleaning debris, trees, and branches from roadways island wide.

The following beaches are closed due to high surf and/or debris

– Magic Sands Beach

– Kahalu’u Beach

– Mahukona Beach Park

In a statement, Hawai’i Electric Light says that “it is working to safely restore power to customers who have lost electricity.” The electric company said that trees fell into power lines, breaking those lines, as well as power poles.

Hawai’i Electric Light did not give a number of how many people remained without electricity.

***Note: Update posted at 8:50 a.m. to include updated road information from the Hawai’i Police Department.***

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that all roads in the Puna district have now been opened.

The updated information includes the Kaohe Homestead Road, which was closed above Pahoa High School.

***Original story posted at 8:40 a.m.***

High wind and heavy rain continue to create a mess on many Big Island roads.

According to Hawai’i County Civil Defense and the Hawai’i Police Department, the following roads remain closed due to downed trees, branches, and debris:

• Highway 250 in Hawi at the 4 mile marker
• Old Mamalahoa Highway between Ahualoa and Waimea
• Highway 11 near the 19 mile marker in Glenwood
• Highway 11 near the 53 mile marker in Pahala
• Highway 132, just past Nanawale Boulevard (heading toward Lava Tree State Park)
• Kaohe Homestead Road, above Pahoa High School

Kulani Correctional Center announced that it has cancelled Saturday visits because of the bad weather. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz says that hazardous conditions have been reported, including downed trees along Stainback Highway.

Saturday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation swimming meet at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy has also been cancelled. HPA Director of Athletics Stephen Perry said that the decision was made because of the severe weather.

A flood advisory for the Big Island was extended by the National Weather Service until 11 a.m. Forecasters say that some of the heavy rains have subsided, but still continues to fall over the leeward and southern portions of the island.

A high wind warning is posted for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa until 6 p.m. Wind predictions have diminished, as gusts are now forecast to reach 90 mph.