Hawaii Battles Aftermath of Powerful Storm & Flash Flood Warning

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Cleanup operations are in full swing across the Hawaiian Islands following a weekend of extreme weather conditions. Heavy rainfall led to localized flooding, while powerful winds toppled trees, some decades old, causing widespread disruption and damage. A flash flood warning was in effect for several areas, prompting urgent safety measures.

Kalihi Neighborhood Impacted by Fallen Kiawe Tree

A massive 60-foot kiawe tree crashed down on Kahauiki Street in Kalihi on Sunday, completely blocking traffic and causing a power outage that persisted into Monday for nearby residents. The tree, with a four-foot diameter trunk, fell directly in front of Gavin Freitas’ home. City crews worked diligently to remove the debris while Hawaiian Electric addressed the dangling power lines.

“It was just very, very scary because that tree is huge,” said Kalihi resident Keoni Patton, reflecting the community’s shock. Residents noted the tree’s precarious condition, suggesting its fall was anticipated. Freitas expressed concern for his mother, who requires regular dialysis treatments. “She’s been alright. Hopefully I can take her tomorrow. We rescheduled it. I don’t know if we can navigate this street with all the work going on,” he stated.

Widespread Damage Reported Across Honolulu

Crews also responded to a fallen tree at Fern Elementary School, which brought down power lines. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation reported extensive damage throughout the city. “We’ve had 42 responses of heavy debris in roadways or impacting critical infrastructure. We’ve had reports of 50 downed trees or branches. Many of those are overlapping, making it a very busy couple of days,” explained Nate Serota, a spokesperson for the department.

Emergency Response & Power Restoration

As of Monday morning, the Honolulu Fire Department had responded to at least 92 storm-related incidents since Saturday. These included 60 reports of downed trees, 21 calls regarding damaged roofs, and 11 incidents involving downed power lines. Hawaiian Electric reported that the majority of outages occurred on Sunday, but approximately 80% of affected customers had their power restored by Monday morning. Learn how to file a damage claim here.

Manoa Residents Describe Intense Winds

Residents in Manoa described the storm as bringing some of the strongest winds they’ve ever experienced. “It was pretty scary. We’ve been through a few hurricanes, and this was far, far worse. The gusts shook the house, and our house is solid, so it was dramatic,” said Melissa Goo. A large tree fell on Kuahine Drive on Saturday, bringing down a telephone pole. James Marnie, a Manoa resident, recounted, “All of a sudden, a big gust of wind came, and I saw the tree bending over, way over, almost touching the ground. I thought it would come back, but it just went all the way down with a big crash.” Fortunately, no one was injured, and the tree did not damage any homes or vehicles.

Roof Damage in Nanakuli & Sign Down in Hawaii Kai

In Nanakuli, several homeowners reported shingles being blown off their roofs. Ari, a resident, described hearing a loud whistling sound and the constant slapping of shingles. In Hawaii Kai, Tein Au reported that high winds carried a crossing zone sign from Haha’ione Elementary up to Ainapo Street. He attempted to move the sign but found it too heavy, urging crews to remove it before another gust of wind sends it flying.

Community Spirit & Emergency Response Praised

Residents expressed gratitude for the swift response of emergency crews. Melissa Goo of Manoa noted the benefit of school and office closures, which kept roads clear for first responders. Gavin Freitas of Kalihi added, “It’s good the community comes together. In hard times like this, it’s always nice to see.”

Stay informed about future weather alerts and safety precautions by visiting the National Weather Service website.

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