UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.
Maui Mayor Michael Victorino urged Valley isle residents and visitors to stay home and shelter in place after heavy rains led to a Haiku dam to overflow, forcing evacuations.
“Due to the very heavy rains we have been experiencing throughout the County of Maui and the eastern front of Hawaii, we are now asking everyone as much as possible please stay at home, shelter in place, do not go out,” said Victorino in a press conference. “The current weather situation has created very dangerous flooding situations throughout the County of Maui, but especially in East Maui. Right now the Kaupakalua Dam is overflowing and we are very afraid that the dam may breach and cause flooding in that area.”
All County of Maui parks are closed for the rest of the day.
Shan Tsutsui’s statement said: “At this time, the over-topping of the dam has ceased.”
A flash flood warning for the area has been extended until 8:45 p.m. today.
Additionally, heavy rains as of 3:18 p.m. have closed Makawao Avenue at Piiholo intersection, Makawao Avenue close to Kokomo intersection, Brewer Road, Kee Road, Kaupakalua Road just past West Kuiaha Road, and Makani Road at Old Haleakala Highway
“If you see high water, do not try to cross,” Victorino warned.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a real flooding situation we have not seen in a long time. In fact, some of the residents have told me that this is the worst they’ve seen in over 25 years,” he said in statement livestreamed on Facebook.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said evacuations are underway for everyone in vicinity of Kaupakalua Dam and makai of Kaupakalua Road. People near heavily flowing streams also should evacuate or seek higher ground.
“Anyone who lives in the vicinity of this dam is asked to evacuate immediately,” said DLNR in a news release.
The Kaupakalua Dam — an earthen dam built in 1885 — is one of the oldest agricultural dams on Maui, according to DLNR, measuring 57 feet high and 400 feet long and capable of holding 68 million gallons of water.
DLNR said Mahi Pono at 1:30 p.m. reported to the state dam safety program that the spillway was running very high, initiating a level 2 emergency, and at 2:50 p.m. reported the dam was starting to overtop the embankment.
“Today we notified state and county officials that due to the unprecedented rainfall, the Kaupakalua Reservoir and Dam, owned by East Maui Irrigation, reached peak levels causing the over-topping of the dam,” said Shan Tsutsui, chief operating officer of Mahi Pono, in a statement. “The dam did not fail. Out of concerns for the safety of the surrounding community, the highway was closed and residents were ordered to evacuate upon our recommendation.
“At this time, the over-topping of the dam has ceased,” Tsutsui continued in his statement. “However, our crews are actively monitoring the situation and will continue monitoring the water levels until it returns to a safe level. Our primary concern is for the safety of the residents in the area and the emergency responders. We are committed to working with state and county emergency response officials as the situation develop.”
The National Weather Service, meanwhile, extended the flood advisory for Hawaii island until 7:15 p.m. today.
At 4:05 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over windward Hawaii island, with the heaviest showers falling at rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour over the Hamakua and North Hilo Districts. Additional heavy rainfall is likely tonight.
3:55 p.m.
Maui County officials say that Kaupakalua Dam has been breached, and that evacuations are “ongoing in Haiku for everyone in vicinity of Kaupakalua Dam and makai of Kaupakalua Road.”
“People near heavily flowing streams also should evacuate or seek higher ground,” an updated alert says. “Evacuation shelters are being opened at the Paia Community Center and Hana High School. People need to stay away from Haiku areas affected by the evacuations”
Gov. David Ige tweeted, “The state is standing by to support the County of Maui as residents and visitors downstream of the Kaupakulua Dam evacuate at this hour. Please stay out of the area until the danger has passed and continue to monitor local media for updates.”
3:35 p.m.
Maui County officials say that evacuations have been ordered for everyone downstream of Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku after heavy rains led to the dam failing.
“Kaupakalua reservoir dam failure in Haiku area. If downstream of the dam please evacuate now,” the Maui Emergency Management Agency said in an alert. The alert warns of a “significant threat to life or property.”
Evacuation shelters are being opened at the Paia Community Center and Hana High School.
“People need to stay away from the area,” county officials said.
The National Weather Service said, “Life-threatening flooding and significant property damage is expected in areas downstream from the Kaupakalua Dam including Hana Highway between Haiku and Pauwela.”
The East Maui area is under a flash flood warning until 6:15 p.m. today,
“At 2:08 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling over windward Haleakala. Water was reported flowing over the Hana Highway at Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Flash flooding is occurring or expected to begin shortly.”
The weather service warning said locations that will experience flash flooding include Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Haleakala National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hamoa.
2:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Maui through 6:15 p.m. today.
At 2:08 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain was falling over windward Haleakala. Officials reported water flowing over the Hana Highway at Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
1:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island, effective through 4:15 p.m. today.
At 1:09 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the windward side of Hawaii island — from the Hamakua District to Hilo to Puna. Showers were falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and additional heavy rainfall is expected through at least this afternoon.
Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Mountain View, Keaau, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Volcano, Honomu, Hakalau, Pahoa, Ninole, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Laupahoehoe, Ookala and Paauilo.
Officials said the advisory may need to be extended if flooding persists.
12:45 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Maui through 2:15 p.m. today.
At 12:41 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling over windward Haleakala. Officials reported water flowing over Hana Highway at Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
The warning may need to be extended if flooding persists.
11:15 a.m.
The National Weather Service has upgraded the flood advisory to a flash flood warning for the island of Maui, effective through 2:15 p.m. today.
At 11:15 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over windward Haleakala. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
Flash flooding is occurring, officials warned, or expected to begin shortly.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Healakala National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hamoa.
The public should stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do no cross fast-flowing or rising water in a car or on foot.
10:15 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the island of Maui through 1:15 p.m. today.
At 10:04 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over windward slopes of Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kahului, Lahaina, Pukalani, Makawao, Haliimaile, Kula, Paia, Haiku-Pauwela, Pauwela, Puunene, Huelo, Maalaea, Wailuku, Keanae, Waiehu, Waikapu, Waihee, Nahiku, Kipahulu and Kahakuloa.
Rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action, officials warned. The public should stay clear of streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.
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A flash flood watch is now in effect for the entire state through late Tuesday night.
The National Weather Service extended coverage of the flash flood watch to Niihau, Kauai and Oahu, as well as Maui County, this morning as deep moisture spreads over the state, bringing persistent, heavy rains.
A flash flood watch means a flash flood is possible in the area, and that the public should be prepared to take action if a warning is issued.
A high surf advisory also covers all east shores from Kauai to Hawaii island due to surf of 7 to 10 feet generated by the strong tradewinds through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Surf for east shores should ease to 6 to 8 feet Tuesday morning, and further down to 5 to 7 feet Tuesday evening, forecasters said.
The surf for north shores at 7 to 10 feet today is expected to ease to 6 to 8 feet Tuesday.
Surf on west and south shores remains steady, at 3 to 5 feet and 2 to 4 feet, respectively, today and Tuesday.
Today’s skies are mostly cloudy, with likely showers for the windward and mauka areas, and highs from 78 to 83 degrees. Lows tonight dip to 64 to 71 degrees, with locally heavy rainfall possible for all islands.
Forecasters expect widespread heavy showers and possible thunderstorms through midweek.
Heavy showers ended across the Hilo and Puna districts just before midnight, but may be headed to the Puna and Kau districts, forecasters said.
Sub-freezing temperatures over Big Island summits are also expected to bring a period of snow and freezing rain, prompting a winter weather advisory through 6 a.m. Tuesday. Up to one to two inches of additional snow are expected at the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Travel up to the summits could be very difficult to impossible.
The National Park Service has suspended overnight permits for Mauna Loa summit cabins due to the winter weather. Day users should monitor weather forecasts to inform their backcountry travel decisions, officials said.
A small craft advisory is also in place for all Hawaiian waters until 6 a.m. Tuesday.