What you need to know about the kona low Sunday on Kaua‘i: Power restored to most Kaua‘i Island Utility Co-op members with outages

Editor’s note: This page will be continuously updated throughout the day, if necessary. This likely will be the final day for updates from the kona low and its impacts on Kaua’i, unless anything changes.

A powerful kona low northwest of the Hawaiian Islands brought a prolonged period of hazardous weather throughout the state last week.

Kaua‘i County was able to weather the storm and reopened all county facilities and services as of Saturday, March 14, including including all transfer stations, Kekaha Landfill, Wailuā Golf Course, Kapa‘a Swimming Pool and Kaua‘i Bus.

Kaua‘i Community College also reopened its campus and services Saturday after the kona low’s impacts diminished significantly.

Weather conditions began to improve as of Friday night, March 13, after the island and all of Kaua‘i County had endured more than a day of flooding, heavy rainfall, strong winds, power outages, rising streams and other impacts as the kona low slammed into the northern end of the state.

The only weather-related advisory still in effect for the Garden Isle is a wind advisory until 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15, for East Kaua‘i, West Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Mountains areas.

All power outages still outstanding as of Saturday also were corrected and power restored by Kaua‘i Island Utilities Cooperative.

Kaua‘i County Public Works Roads Division crews continued Saturday clearing up debris from various drains, culverts, roadways and county infrastructure.

Waimea wastewater spills

• About 285,750 gallons of wastewater spilled between about 8 p.m. Friday and about 6 a.m. Saturday from Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant because of high flows from heavy rains and high infiltration and inflow from the powerful kona low that moved over the island at the end of last week. The spill was isolated to overflow from the effluent tank after passing through the biological treatment process and ultraviolet disinfection. It was confined on-site. However, some of the spill might have entered the adjacent drainage ditches that do not touch state waters. Additional disinfection was done in the spill areas.
• About 64,000 gallons of wastewater spilled between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday again from Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant also because of high flows from heavy rains and high infiltration and inflow from the recent kona low. The spill was isolated to overflow from the effluent tank after passing through the biological treatment process and ultraviolet disinfection. It was confined on-site. However, some of the spill might have entered the adjacent drainage ditches that do not touch state waters. Additional disinfection was done in the spill areas.

Future spills could happen until the storm passes completely and the chance for heavy rains and high flows subsides.

Contact Donald Fujimoto with the Kaua’i County Wastewater Management Division at 808-241-4083 or via email at dfujimoto@kauai.gov for additional information or with any questions.

Current weather advisories

Wind advisory: New. Takes place of high wind warning. In effect until 6 p.m. today for most of Kaua’i, including East Kaua’i, West Kaua’i and the Kaua’i Mountains areas. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. The public is advised to watch out for falling tree branches, make sure tents and awnings are secure or taken down and be prepared for power outages.

Emergency water service shutdown/repairs

Water service was restored by shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday to water customers on a portion of Kuamoʻo Road, between ʻŌpaekaʻa Road and Hie Street, after a mainline break before 10 a.m. the same day caused an emergency water service shutdown for that area.

Power outages

• Power was restored by 9:36 p.m. Saturday to co-op members up to the park in Kōkeʻe. Crews will resume work today on restoration for the rest of Kōkeʻe members affected. It was the second time Saturday that power went out in the community. The outage was first reported at just before 7:30 a.m. and Kaua’i Island Utility Co-op had gotten half of the members affected restored by 7:38 p.m. Then the second outage was reported by the co-op by 8:49 p.m. Saturday.
• Power was restored by just after 6 p.m. Saturday to members experiencing an outage earlier that afternoon in Wailuā Homesteads.
• Power was restored by 4 p.m. Saturday to co-op members experiencing an outage that started just after 11:30 a.m. in Wainiha.
• Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative was able to get power restored by shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday for members in Kapahi impacted by the day’s second reported outage in the community just after 11 a.m. The co-op had restored power to members experiencing the first outage by shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday after it was reported shortly before 9 a.m.

More information and an updated estimated time of restoration will be provided as available.

Road closures

• All county roadways are open.
• Pe‘e Road at its intersection with Poʻipū Road is open through Monday. The roadway was previously closed because of construction.

County and state closures

• All public and charter schools are closed.
• Kaua‘i Community College reported shortly before 6 p.m. Friday via a Facebook post that it would reopen and resume operations today. Those with classes or an activity on campus should check with organizers to see if the event is still happening.
• Kaua‘i Bus operating as scheduled.
• All state facilities and services on Kaua‘i are closed.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources closed Polihale State Park and Hā‘ena State Park, as well as all parking lots within Koke‘e State Park until further notice. Overnight camping at Koke‘e State Park is suspended until further notice.

Safety advisory

• Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued a brown water advisory for Kaua‘i. Health officials advise beach users to stay out of waters when the water appears brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain.
• The public should check conditions before venturing out for hiking, river or beach excursions. River and stream crossings, recreational trails and other outdoor recreation areas can quickly become hazardous, and emergency rescues might not be possible during severe weather.
• Do not cross swollen rivers or streams; always check with a lifeguard at any lifeguard station before entering the ocean: know before you go.
• Speak to a Kaua‘i county lifeguard, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 dor up-to-date information about ocean conditions and safety.

Get the most updated information about weather conditions plus Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau forecasts by visiting Kaua‘i Now’s weather page and the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.