Road Conditions Improve as Wind Lightens

Windy conditions are dying down and roads are clearing up following a gusty start to the weekend that involved downed trees, power poles, and power lines.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, Hawai’i County Civil Defense reported that all major roadways have been opened. Crews from Hawai’i Electric Light and the County of Hawai’i’s Department of Public Works have been working throughout the night and into the morning to clear these roads.

In the Puna area, the Hawai’i Police Department says that Pohoiki Road remains closed in both directions due to downed trees. All other roads in the district are open, including Kahakai Boulevard, which was earlier closed due to downed trees.

Small roads in other subdivisions may continue to be affected by debris and tree branches.

A wind advisory for the island has been cancelled, with the exception of the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The National Weather Service has downgraded the high wind warning for the summits and extended an advisory for the upper elevations until 6 p.m. Sunday. Westerly winds are forecast at 30-45 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph.