Hawai‘i County remains under flood watch; 400 damage reports filed from Kona low storms

On Tuesday morning, the sun was shining in Hilo and Kona. But the National Weather Service in Honolulu said a flood watch remains in place for Hawaiʻi County through 6 a.m. Wednesday, with the forecast continuing to predict the possibility of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

“We could get some additional heavy rain in some areas, so I’d say we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Thomas Vaughan, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The northeastern areas of the island are most favored for rainfall.

The county already has received more than 400 reports from residents and commercial properties for damage suffered during the two Kona low systems that hit the Big Island in March.

Two Kona low systems that hit the Big Island were about a week apart. The first occurred on March 14, when properties in the Ka‘ū and South Kona Districts were flooded and damaged.

The second system hit on Monday and brought thunderstorms that forced airplanes to ground at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and knocked out power for nearly 1,400 Hawaiian Electric customers in the Kealakehe and Hōlualoa areas, before moving to the eastside of the island.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda estimates the storms have caused tens of millions of dollars in damage, especially with Monday’s lightning strikes.

Alameda said he is currently working with the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on damage assessments in hopes of getting funding to help residents, farmers and ranchers recover from the losses.

Greenwell Coffee Farms was hit particularly hard on March 14, where Tom Greenwell, owner of the coffee farm estimates millions of dollars in damage to one of his three farms.

Following the first Kona low, Konawaena High School, Konawaena Middle School and Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino also were damaged in the storm and remain closed for the rest of the week for cleanup and repair.

Also on Monday, lightning struck a power box at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo, knocking out its power in the front gift shop, Alameda said. The zoo will reopen, but will be running on a generator.

Lightning also hit “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium. It caused the pump to go out, but it has been fixed. Lightning also struck at Carvalho Park, where damage is still being assessed.

Alameda said heavy rain fell in Pāhala off of Pikake Street, where it uprooted pavement. Contractors will do repairs on Wednesday.  

The county continues to accept damage reports at the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency website.

Farmers seeking aid are also encouraged to participate in a damage survey.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened, with access restored to the Kīlauea summit area and Chain of Craters Road. Work continues to clear and repair remaining areas impacted by last week’s storm and the recent eruption.