Flooding closes two Hawaii schools as heavy rain impacts area
By Gil Cano
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HALEʻIWA, Hawaiʻi (KITV) — Flooding on Oʻahu’s North Shore forced the closure of two public schools Thursday as heavy rain created ponding on roads and in neighborhoods.
The Hawaii Department of Education closed Haleʻiwa Elementary School and Waialua High and Intermediate School because of flooding in the area.
Standing water was also seen in front of St. Michael School, while drivers across the North Shore navigated large puddles and flooded roadways. Some parked vehicles were splashed with muddy red water as cars drove through the flooded streets.
For some residents, the flooding created problems close to home.
Waialua resident Shirley Mori said she woke up to significant ponding near her property.
“Over there was a big pond that looks like you could go fishing in it,” Mori said.
Mori said water pooled around her yard and rose to the steps of her front porch. She said flooding also collected beneath her home.
She is now calling on the city to address drainage concerns on her street.
“I want them to open the drains so that when it rains the water just goes through so it doesn’t flood,” Mori said. “Because if it does flood it’s going to go all the way into the garage and it’s going to flood into the back room.”
Students in the area also described challenges caused by the wet conditions.
Allison, a student on the North Shore, said the rain made school grounds difficult to navigate.
“They said that the grass was super slippery,” she said.
The student also reacted after learning Gov. Josh Green canceled school for students in the area on Friday.
“That’s good so I don’t have to be scared,” Allison said.
Flooding remained visible across parts of the North Shore as the rain continued.
Island News will continue to provide updates on school closures and weather impacts across the islands.
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