ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Drenching rains from the Kona low moving across the island chain so far have spared areas of Lahaina scarred by an Aug. 8 wildfire, but the eastern end of Maui was not so lucky.

Nearly 10 inches of rain was recorded at West Wailuaiki near Nahiku in a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, while the rain gauge in Lahainaluna recorded only 0.32 inches over the same period.

The tons of ash and debris from the estimated 2,200 structures burned in the wildfire still on the ground in Lahaina raised concerns about the possibility of toxic storm runoff flowing into the ocean. In preparation for the wet season, federal, state and county crews had installed pollutant-filtering systems including straw wattles and other flood-mitigation methods.

The county Department of Public Works reported late this afternoon that the measures appear to have served their purpose, trapping ash and debris and filtering out potential contaminants before they entered storm drains. 

Heavy rains in East Maui caused headaches for road crews and motorists as flooding and a landslide forced a number of road closures in Hana, Keanae, Kaupo and Ulupalakua.

By the afternoon, many of the roads were reopened by the Maui Police Department, however, flooding at Nuu in Kaupo on the normally dry backside of Haleakala – a known trouble spot – remained closed later in the day, cutting off the remote village of Kaupo from Kipahulu.

An emergency shelter was opened mid-morning at Hana High and Elementary School but the county reported only one person was there as of 3:30 p.m.

A National Weather Service flash flood watch remains in effect for all islands through Friday afternoon, bringing the possibility of flash flooding and thunderstorms.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.