HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kalakaua Avenue was closed between Seaside Avenue and Duke’s Lane on Saturday afternoon due to heavy flooding. The rain has slowed down since then, but the gloomy weather is not stopping people from going to the beach and walking around Waikiki.
When the roads were shut down early this afternoon, witnesses said water was close to knee-deep on Kalakaua for about an hour.
While many hoped the rain was over when the flood advisory and flood watch were dropped yesterday and the sun came out, the sky turned grey once again.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory around 1 p.m. this afternoon and shortly after, a flash flood warning after heavy rain was focused over central and leeward Oahu.
Around 3 p.m., the NW said rain was falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour near town, which ultimately resulted in flooding over busy Waikiki.
“This whole street was flooded. Lots of water everywhere,” explained Kaimana Rayl. “It was so crazy, I have never seen before. Literally, cars would pass by and you would see waves come out of the tires.”
According to NWS’ Thomas Vaughn, moisture from the Kona Low has been impacting the state over the last several days.
“There was some convergence, so air kind of moving together supporting the development of heavy showers offshore of Oahu,” said Vaughn.
The Weather Service said the Kona Low should be out by the end of this evening.