Heavy rain in West Hawai‘i floods roads, washes trash, debris into ocean
Early this morning, houseless individuals were seen on the shoreline along Ali‘i Drive in Kona fishing items, ranging from shopping carts to coolers, out of the ocean after torrential flooding.
Heavy rain hit North Kona and South Kona communities for several hours Tuesday afternoon flooding portions of Hualālai Road, Kuakini Highway, Ali‘i Drive and parking lots throughout Kailua-Kona. Showers are again possible today in these areas, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
Megan Whaley was leaving Papa Kona restaurant, located on Ali‘i Drive, on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. when the flooding started. She posted images on social media of debris, including, storage bins, water bottles, couch cushions, a small bed frame and trash, that washed into the ocean from a tunnel that empties into waters off the eatery, where a homeless camp was established.
Whaley, who works at Papa Kona, saw people collecting items out of the water this morning, but leaving the trash.
“Today, the water is dirty and still has rubbish all on the shoreline in front of Papa Kona and some trash still floating,” Whaley said this afternoon, adding it smells bad.
The Hawai‘i Department of Health had not issued any advisories for the water in the area. The National Weather Service in Honolulu does have a small craft advisory for leeward and southeast waters. the advisory is in place till 6 a.m. on Friday.
Kona resident Michael Kelly also captured images Tuesday while walking his dog Pepper. He followed flooding from Ali‘i Drive up to Hualālai Road to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, located at 75-230 Kalani St., above McDonald’s.
Heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2024, washed debris from a duct in Kona into the Pacific Ocean off Ali‘i Drive. Photo credit: Megan Whaley and Michale Mccrum- Heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2024, washed debris from a duct in Kona into the Pacific Ocean off Ali‘i Drive. Photo credit: Megan Whaley and Michale Mccrum
- Heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2024, washed debris from a duct in Kona into the Pacific Ocean off Ali‘i Drive. Photo credit: Michael Kelly
Whaley said she hasn’t seen any Hawai‘i County or state workers on Ali‘i Drive cleaning up the area.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Works is reaching out to staff in the area to learn where crews are responding to flooding.
County officials advise the public to report damages of businesses or personal properties caused by the recent flooding here or by phone at 808-935-0031.
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