Flooding forced rescues and road closures on Maui this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, during a National Weather Service Flood Advisory for the island of Maui.

No injuries were reported and floodwater was beginning to recede by mid-morning, officials said.

Around 8:45 a.m., Maui Fire Department's Air One rescued two people from their vehicle, which was trapped in fast-rising floodwaters along South Kihei Road near Kaonoulu Street in Kihei. Another three people in vehicles stalled in area floodwaters were taken to safety on foot by MFD. Multiple MFD engines, along with Air One, responded to flood-related calls along South Kihei Road on Tuesday morning.

Drivers entered flooded streets that caused their vehicles to be impacted by floodwaters that were approximately four feet high, according to Maui Police Department. No vehicles were reported to be swept away by flood conditions.

MPD reported several flood-related road closures, including South Kihei and Kaonoulu; South Kihei near Uwapo Street; South Kihei Road from North Kihei to Kulanihakoi Road; Hana at Hanakai; and Piilani Highway from Mile Marker 19 to 21 in Kaupo.

Department of Parks and Recreation closed the following parks due to flooding: Kalepolepo Beach Park in Kihei, Kanaha at Ka'a Point in Kahului and Hana Ball Park in Hana.

National Weather Service in Honolulu early Tuesday morning issued a Flood Advisory for Maui island, in effect to 11:30 a.m. NWS said some locations that will experience flooding include Kahului, Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Haliimaile, Keanae, Huelo, Haiku-Pauwela, Kaupo, Kipahulu, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Nahiku, Pauwela, Paia, Makena, Puunene and Maalaea.

At 8:25 a.m., NWS showed radar and automated rain gauges indicating heavy rain over eastern and southern portions of Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour.

NWS issued a Wind Advisory early Tuesday morning until midnight tonight for Moloka'i, Lana'i and lower elevations on Maui, along with other islands. A Wind Warning had been in effect for Haleakala Summit.

South to southwest winds will increase quickly to advisory levels by mid- to late-morning and continue through this evening as a cold front approaches from the west, NWS said.

Weak high pressure building over the island chain late Wednesday and Wednesday night will bring a drying trend, NWS said. Mostly dry weather will then persist Thursday through early next week, as winds gradually pick up out of the south and southwest ahead of a slowly approaching cold front.

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