East Hawaii News

UPDATE: Laupāhoehoe Point Road, portion of Highway 11 in Kaʻū, reopen

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Update at 7:40 a.m. Jan. 6: Portions of Highway 11 in the Ka‘ū District have since reopened after the roadway was closed Monday due to flooding at mile markers 62 and 56.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has also canceled its flood advisory and flood watch for Hawai‘i Island.

Update at 9 p.m. Jan. 5: The National Weather Service has extended a flood advisory for the Hāmākua, Hilo, Puna, and the Kaʻū districts.

Around 5:45 p.m., the Hawaiʻi Police Department put out a statement to avoid Laupāhoehoe Point Road due to a landslide that likely started due to the rainfall.

More information and details are expected and it is unknown how long the road will be closed.

Then, around 10:30 p.m., the Hawaiʻi Police Department advised drivers to avoid Highway 11 (between the 62-mile marker and the 56-mile marker)in Ka‘ū due to a road closure from the result of flooding. No alternate routes are available.

A car waits at the end of a long puddle on Road 5 in Hawaiian Acres in Puna on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now)
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All other districts of Hawaiʻi Island are under a flood watch. While a flood advisory means flooding is occurring, a flood watch means flooding is possible.

The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency reminds residents in flood-prone areas that road closures may occur without notice and to not attempt to cross flowing water in a vehicle or on foot.

Hawaiʻi police have closed Laupāhoehoe Point Road due to a reported landslide.

For more information, please visit the County of Hawaiʻi Hazard Impact Map.

Update at 1:43 p.m. Jan. 5: A flood advisory on Hawai‘i Island is once again extended till 5 p.m.

Flooding in Kaʻū caused by previous kona low storms in February 2023. A flood advisory is in effect this morning, Jan. 5, 2026, for portions of the Big Island, including parts of Kaʻū, because of heavy rainfall associated with another storm originally called a kona low by National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu. (Photo File: Joe Ashley)
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At 1:39 p.m., radar indicated that heavy rain continues over windward Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honoka‘a, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Kea‘au, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punalu‘u Beach, Honomu, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.

Update at 10:39 a.m. Jan. 5: A flood advisory issued for Hawai‘i Island is extended to 2 p.m.

At 10:35 a.m., radar indicated that heavy rain continues over windward Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Kea‘au, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punalu‘u Beach, Honomu, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.

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Minor flooding is expected on roads, poor drainage areas, and in streams.

Update at 7:46 a.m. Jan. 5: A flood advisory for portions of the Big Island has been extended till 11 a.m.

As of 7:41 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the windward Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honoka‘a, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Kea‘au, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punalu‘u Beach, Honomu, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.

Original post: National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a flood advisory for eastern and southeastern portions of the Big Island in effect until 8 a.m. today (Jan. 5) because of excessive rainfall moving over those areas and causing likely flooding.

Radar indicated at 4:51 a.m. that heavy rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour over windward Big Island, with the heaviest rain along a line from Laupāhoehoe southward to Volcano.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaʻa, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Keaʻau, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Pāpaʻikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Honomū, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.

Flooding can be expected on roads as well as in poor drainage areas and streams.

The public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

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