Kaua‘i weather set to improve by Wednesday

LIHU‘E — Weather conditions for Kaua‘i should be improving by Wednesday, the National Weather Service stated Monday.

This follows soggy weather, punctuated with bouts of thunderstorms that waterlogged the Garden Island over the New Year’s weekend.

Lihu‘e Airport received the most rainfall overnight, with the rain gauges measuring 2.13 inches in the 24-hour period ending Monday at noon. Of this total amount, the greater rain dropped Monday morning, with 1.16 inches being measured.

The downpour triggered a flood advisory that was later canceled shortly after noon as pockets of blue skies peeked through, prompting the closure of the Wailua Golf Course due to the weather and excessive ponding throughout the course.

Repair crews from both Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and Hawaiian Telcom were triggered into action as reports of unstable utility poles were reported Sunday.

Along with that, county officials announced Department of Public Works and Department of Parks &Recreation teams working to clear Leho Drive of a fallen tree blocking a portion of the roadway Sunday.

The teams also cleared mud and a boulder on Akemama Road in Lawa‘i, cleared rocks and gravel from storm runoff on Koloa Road, and reported damage to the Waimea swinging bridge’s wooden steps and wooden foundation after a boulder fell from the hillside.

Additionally, the Kekaha Landfill and the Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Station were both closed and did not accept trash, green waste or metals. This was changed as weather conditions improved, the Kekaha Landfill opening shortly afternoon, and the Hanapepe RTS opening to accept trash only.

The Kapa‘a and Hanalei RTSs were open, but not accepting green waste or metals for recycling. The Lihu‘e RTS was operating with full service.

The NWS calls for conditions to gradually stabilize and dry out through midweek.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island