Kaua‘i News

The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation have launched a coordinated relief effort to support farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers affected by the severe weather, flooding and prolonged heavy rains.

Several scam text messages have been making the rounds claiming to be from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, or the “Department of Motor Vehicles” regarding unpaid traffic violations and subsequent holds on driver’s licensing.

The state offices and operations statewide will reopen following the severe weather brought by the recent Kona low storm system.

The intermittent discharges began on March 17.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.

“The collaboration between the governor and all four county mayors allowed the state of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense to improve our ability to respond to this unprecedented kona low storm,” Hawaiʻi Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan on Saturday, March 21.

Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance and generally not required unless a property is in a designated high-risk flood zone; standard flood coverage normally helps cover physical damage caused by rising water, such as damage to a home’s structure and certain essential contents.

Kaua‘i County Department of Water crews are expected to install a pressure release valve beginning 9:30 a.m. March 24, weather permitting; a water buffalo providing drinking water will be available for affected customers.

The advisory was previously set to expire at 6 a.m. Sunday, March 22; however, surf along the northern shorelines of both islands has fallen below advisory thresholds and continues to decline.

The islands remain safe and welcoming, and weather conditions are expected to improve early next week after two kona lows in a week; Kauaʻi and Oʻahu already are seeing improving conditions.

NOTE: In observance of Prince Kuhio Day on March 26 there will be no contraflow or lane closures unless otherwise permitted; Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.

Volunteers this month — testing waters after heavy rains — found 20 sites of the 27 total they tested with enterococcus levels exceeding the state recreational water quality standard of 35 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu reported Saturday afternoon, March 21, that flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat to Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

Residents, businesses, and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse, including clothing, small furniture, kitchen items, children’s toys, books, and shoes.

Nonprofit’s emergency disaster services positioned to respond to evolving needs as storm moves through; donations requested to help fund statewide support for vital relief efforts and supplies.

Martial arts, TV and movie icon Chuck Norris’s sudden passing on Kauaʻi has left the close-knit North Shore community and fans around the world in mourning.

Five people and the furry friend were extricated Friday morning from a rooftop in the Waialua area; the other two people — who wrote ‘SOS’ in the sand — were stranded near Yokohama Bay because the road washed out. Everyone and the dog were taken to safety at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Oʻahu.

Aloha United Way awarded funds to 45 organizations with programs that address food security, housing stability, workforce development and other essential needs.

A 33-year-old woman from Kaua‘i also received serious injuries in the early Friday morning, March 20, crash on Maluhia Road; she was later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment.

About 70,000 gallons of wastewater continues to be intermittently discharged each day at Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant since the spill began the morning of March 17; there is no risk to public health.