Maui residents awoke yesterday to closed parks and roads after an overnight thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding. According to a press release from Maui County, the Department of Public Works reported ongoing closures as of noon for Okolani Drive and South Kīhei Road, from Wailea Alanui Drive to Kilohana in South Maui, due to the storm's impact. Trees downed by the storm continue to block both lanes on Naalae and Waipoli roads Upcountry, with crews working diligently to reopen them.
In the light of dawn, as the storm subsided, several other county roads and highways were able to shed their temporary closures by noon. However, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the closure of multiple parks and facilities grappling with debris, damage, and power outages. Among the impacted sites are the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex and Coach Spencer Shiraishi Memorial Pool in Central Maui, the Keawakapu Beach parking lot, Kīhei Aquatic Center, and the Kīhei Community Center in South Maui. Following a water line break at New Kula Ballfield Park, its restrooms will remain closed, albeit portable ones will be provided.
The duration of these closures will be disclosed pending further damage assessments. The press release also notes that disruptions have hit the operation of several permitted facilities, with permit holders notified directly about the impacts. In the scramble for normalcy, the Parks and Recreation Department's phone service continued to be unavailable as of midday.
The thunderstorm, which assailed the island around 4 a.m., brought a cacophony of high wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, leading the Maui Emergency Management Agency to partially activate its operations. The National Weather Service had issued both a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and a Flash Flood Warning for Maui, which since have been lifted as of 8 a.m. According to the same press release, a Winter Weather Advisory remained for the Haleakalā Summit area until noon due to strong winds reaching 70 mph and treacherous icy conditions. Following these events, Haleakalā National Park announced the closure of the Summit District at the entrance due to ice, per their website.
