Recovery efforts continue as Kona low system passes

The immediate threat from the storm has passed, but recovery efforts continue to assess damage, clear debris and restore infrastructure Gov. Josh Green said in a press release.

Green said state offices and operations would return statewide, with the public libraries in Kahuku and Molokaʻi closing due to flooding, as well as a handful of Department of Education schools.

All DOE schools on Molokaʻi will be closed Monday. On Oʻahu, Waialua High and Intermediate, Waialua Elementary, Haleʻiwa Elementary and Sunset Beach Elementary will be closed. On Hawaiʻi Island, Konawaena High School, Konawaena Middle and Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino will be closed.

The National Weather Service said a remnant band of moisture covering Oʻahu to the Hawaiʻi Island is in place through Monday night, and there may be isolated thunderstorms going into Monday morning across Maui and Hawaiʻi counties.

In the Waialua-Haleʻiwa area on Oʻahu, muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles, and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of people on Friday. All remaining evacuation orders on Oʻahu were lifted on Sunday.

All water users on the North Shore from Mokulēʻia to Turtle Bay are under a boil water notice. Any water pulled from the tap should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for three minutes prior to consumption. Officials said there’s potential damage to the water system caused by the second Kona low storm. Water tankers have also been stationed at Waialua Community Association, Banzai Skatepark and Waialua District Park Recreation Center.

Hawaiian Electric said power had mostly been restored to customers on Oʻahu’s North Shore. The utility de-energized thousands of customers in the area when it became flooded on Friday.

Hawaii Department of Transportation 

In Maui Nui, two shelters would remain open on Sunday night, Mitchell Pauʻole Community Center on Molokaʻi and South Maui Community Park Gym.

Travel on Hāna Highway into East Maui is limited to emergency vehicles, essential workers and local traffic. Maui Police Department has checkpoint enforcement from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

For flood insurance holders, the Hawaiʻi insurance Division has a guide and instructional video on filing an insurance claim. Consumers can contact the division at 1-844-808-3222 at or visit the DCCA website.

Residents needing storm recovery assistance can contact the Hawaiʻi Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or Aloha United Way by dialing 211 for help connecting to available programs and services.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health advises beach users to stay out of waters when the water appears brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain.

Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital.

“This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state,” Green said at a news conference Friday. He also said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances of federal support.

Green said the flooding was the state’s most serious since the 2004 floods in Mānoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaiʻi library.

Power outages

HECO said Sunday afternoon that there were fewer than 220 customers without power across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island.

Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui Nui residents can track Hawaiian Electric power outages here. Kauaʻi residents can track KIUC outages here.

Sign up for emergency alerts from your county:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio exists to serve all of Hawai’i, and it’s the people of Hawai’i who keep us independent and strong. Donate today. Mahalo for your support.