Hawaii Environment & Hazard Risk

A wildfire near Lahaina was reported at 6:40 am HST and was contained within 3 hours. Another fire was reported around 3:30pm and prompted evacuation orders by 4:30 pm. However, power lines downed by the damaging winds closed roads and restricted evacuation routes. Wildfire continued to spread rapidly and quickly became out of control. The Coast Guard rescued people entering the Pacific Ocean who were escaping the fire. They rescued seventeen people including two children and assisted forty survivors on shore. At around 11:52 pm the Hawaii National guard was deployed on Maui as wildfires continued to burn out of control. At 1:20 AM on August 9, over 14,000 customers were without power, and at 5:03 AM, the fire damaged much of the historic banyan tree that was imported to Maui in 1873 from India. At 9:25 am on August 9, over 2,100 people were seeking refuge in Maui shelters, a number that would increase throughout the month, reaching a peak of 8,000 in September. At 12:45 pm on August 9, more than 14,000 people were transported off Maui with another 14,500 waiting to be moved. The fire burned 2,170 acres and destroyed most of the historic town of Lahaina, including over 2,200...

At approximately 800 pm HST, a mesoscale convective system was observed moving over the Kauai Channel towards Oahu. At around 900 pm HST, this mesoscale convective system moved over the west side of Oahu, then the Northern half of Oahu, and began to deliver large amounts of heavy rain. Due to the slow moving nature of this weather system, enormous rain amounts accumulated in a very short time frame. At approximately 1000 pm HST, stream levels rose above flood thresholds and reservoirs filled up. From 1100 pm HST to 200 AM HST, a massive flood wave surged through the North Shore. Multiple roads became impassable across Northern Oahu, Haleiwa became completely cut off, and multiple homes and many cars got swept away in flood waters. Many homes and cars that were not washed away were heavily damaged beyond use or habitation. Businesses were also flooded, and an ambulance was reportedly lost due to the rising flood waters. With the help of police officers, the crew escaped the ambulance through the side window. There were over 200 rescues by first responders and residents, these rescues included rescues from police, fire, national guard, and lifeguards. 10 people were taken to the...

A brushfire erupted in Kula, burned 200 acres and prompted evacuations. Nineteen homes were reportedly destroyed by the wildfire. There were no known injuries or fatalities.

Kuhio Highway was also closed near the Hanalei Bridge in northern Kauai as the Hanalei River overflowed its banks along the roadway. Later in the morning around 04:30 HST after heavy downpours, Kuhio Highway was closed in Wailua at the Wailua River in windward Kauai as debris piled up against the bridge crossing the waterway. Some homes and businesses in the area were also affected by flooding waters. There were no reports of significant injuries.

Heavy rain caused the Hanalei River to overflow near the Hanalei Bridge, which then closed Kuhio Highway in that area. Other areas in northern Kauai were affected by downpours that caused debris flows unto roadways, near Princeville, Kilauea, and Wailoko. Other areas that had problems were near Lihue at Niumalu and Hulemalu roads, and in Kapaa where the Keapana Bridge became impassable.

Two hikers went missing along the Waikamoi Trail in East Maui. As of this writing, the body of one hiker had been found, apparently swept out to sea over a waterfall in the area. The other hiker remained unaccounted for, but he likely perished as well.