I hope everyone is ok...

I’ve tried to follow Lane as much as I could...it sounds like it could have been worse than it might have been.

Still, it was a lot of rain, wind - even fire. I hope everyone is safe and sound, and that whatever damage there is can be repaired ...

I’ve tried to follow Lane as much as I could...it sounds like it could have been worse than it might have been.

 

Still, it was a lot of rain, wind - even fire. I hope everyone is safe and sound, and that whatever damage there is can be repaired ...

It has been an interesting couple of days - and there is definitely some rain yet to come - but at our home we have been blessed with nothing more than some manageable rain, some manageable wind and the power being on and off quite a few times. Our whole-house generator came to the rescue again though. We are at the 1,700 foot elevation on the eastern leeward slope of Haleakala, and the general area seems to have done well. Mahalo for your good wishes!

As to your Upcountry schedule, we thought about it a lot and, since you prefer not to rent a car, the rate your tour company quotes for driving you all around is probably a bargain - especially if they will be flexible without charging a fortune. To be honest, their Upcountry tour list is somewhat dull. How much will they allow you to customize it?

It has been an interesting couple of days - and there is definitely some rain yet to come - but at our home we have been blessed with nothing more than some manageable rain, some manageable wind and the power being on and off quite a few times. Our whole-house generator came to the rescue again though. We are at the 1,700 foot elevation on the eastern leeward slope of Haleakala, and the general area seems to have done well. Mahalo for your good wishes!

 

As to your Upcountry schedule, we thought about it a lot and, since you prefer not to rent a car, the rate your tour company quotes for driving you all around is probably a bargain - especially if they will be flexible without charging a fortune. To be honest, their Upcountry tour list is somewhat dull. How much will they allow you to customize it?

Silver, I’m glad to hear it! I’ve not heard about any injuries - or worse - thank goodness.

As to the tour, I had also looked at Maui Crafts Tours, and they offered much the same itinerary, so I’m guessing that’s standard for any tours in the area. Their customized tours (they list other things that they often add to tours) seem even better. As it’s my tour, I’m sure I can customize it any way I want to - which I have already just by adding Haleakala at sunset. Of course any customization has to take into account that part (so I’ll have less time in other areas) and the fact that some places are closed on Sunday (like Kula Farms).

I asked about an itinerary based on what I’d previously discussed with the owner, but I didn’t want to push with the details since the hurricane was approaching - and she’d been busy beforehand. The tour isn’t cheap by any means, but that’s something I give up since I’m uncomfortable renting a car.

Mahalo for all of your help !

Let's try the above location again. Make that the western slope - not eastern.

The original of this note and your last letter must have just crossed in the mail. In reading your letter, if you want to cut a few items to leave room for Haleakala at sunset, we would be happy to offer suggestions again but don't want to seem pushy.

Oahu and Kauai has dodged the bullet is seems. The big island is still getting pounded by record rains. So is Maui. In Honolulu the sun is coming out a bit and a touch of blue sky is appearing. And Tourists are going to the boat for the sunset / dinner cruise. No cruise ships in port but the POA will probably come in tomorrow.

Silver Sweethearts...happy to learn that you weathered the storm in your Upcountry home.

We’re currently on the Mainland & thankfully have good neighbors that watch our South Maui house.

Lane could have been devastating & hopefully everyone in the Hilo area will be okay after receiving as much as 3 feet of rainfall in mountainous regions.

Let's try the above location again. Make that the western slope - not eastern.

 

The original of this note and your last letter must have just crossed in the mail. In reading your letter, if you want to cut a few items to leave room for Haleakala at sunset, we would be happy to offer suggestions again but don't want to seem pushy.

Oh my goodness, you're not pushy at all - I'm the one who asked for suggestions. I probably wouldn't want to cut everything out on the itinerary, because I love the idea of visiting farms and such, but I also highly value your opinions - and I love the idea of doing/seeing things that are different from "the usual". I do wish I had more than one day, but....... it just means I'll have to return some day!

Oahu and Kauai has dodged the bullet is seems. The big island is still getting pounded by record rains. So is Maui. In Honolulu the sun is coming out a bit and a touch of blue sky is appearing. And Tourists are going to the boat for the sunset / dinner cruise. No cruise ships in port but the POA will probably come in tomorrow.

Oh wow, still? I'd hoped it was "over" by now.....Hawaii is so unique in many way; we on the mainland are used to weather systems either hitting a place or not, but with Hawaii, it's many islands- so that one island may get hit, none may get hit, several may get hit. Here's hoping that those rains finally end..............

AstroFlyer.......3 FEET? Wow.........

AstroFlyer.......3 FEET? Wow.........

It was even worse earlier this year in Kauai with over 4 feet within 24 hours on the northshore.

“Heavy rain April 13-16 flooded parts of Oahu and Kauai, including a possible U.S. record amount of rainfall in a 24-hour period in Waipa on the Garden Isle, where one gauge recorded just under 50 inches in a 24-hour period ending midday April 15“.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/25/hawaii-news/kauai-to-receive-100m-for-flood-repair-projects/

Sections of Kuhio Highway still only have periodic escorted access as work continues to stabilize the hillside. The tallest Kauai mountain (Mt. Waialeale) is reported to on average be the wettest recorded location at about 450” per year. The West Maui mountains are reported to have the second highest total of 350” although the majority of it remains there to fill the underground aquifers for the island’s drinking water. I’ve read that mountain at one time was taller than Haleakalā (10,000’) but erosion that created the Valley Isle’s isthmus between these volcanic peaks has resulted in a 5,000’ mountain now.

It’s the tropics & storms coming across the Pacific can dump a lot of rainfall on windward rainforests but not much on drier leeward sides with cactus & keawe (mesquite) trees with occasional brushfires such as in Lahaina. And with the tall mountains on Maui & the Big Island, there are microclimates from rainforests to snow capped mountains.

Dealing with things after any tropical storm can often be the hardest part.

Wishing all in Hawaii currently going through this well. :hearteyes:

Still many clouds and threats of more rain as the remnants of Lane hang around over the islands. But the winds have died down a lot. I actually may go down to Waikiki and walk around today and visit the zoo animals The zoo like so many places has been closed for 3 days. I bet they miss the visitors.

Oahu and Kauai has dodged the bullet is seems. The big island is still getting pounded by record rains. So is Maui. In Honolulu the sun is coming out a bit and a touch of blue sky is appearing. And Tourists are going to the boat for the sunset / dinner cruise. No cruise ships in port but the POA will probably come in tomorrow.

We will be on the Legend in about a month and am concerned about how the flooding in Hilo and Hana. They have both suffered an extreme rainfall. I hope both Hawaii and Maui are ok, but I suspect major flood damage on the big island and damage to road to Hana.

It was even worse earlier this year in Kauai with over 4 feet within 24 hours on the northshore.

 

“Heavy rain April 13-16 flooded parts of Oahu and Kauai, including a possible U.S. record amount of rainfall in a 24-hour period in Waipa on the Garden Isle, where one gauge recorded just under 50 inches in a 24-hour period ending midday April 15“.

 

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/05/25/hawaii-news/kauai-to-receive-100m-for-flood-repair-projects/

 

Sections of Kuhio Highway still only have periodic escorted access as work continues to stabilize the hillside. The tallest Kauai mountain (Mt. Waialeale) is reported to on average be the wettest recorded location at about 450” per year. The West Maui mountains are reported to have the second highest total of 350” although the majority of it remains there to fill the underground aquifers for the island’s drinking water. I’ve read that mountain at one time was taller than Haleakalā (10,000’) but erosion that created the Valley Isle’s isthmus between these volcanic peaks has resulted in a 5,000’ mountain now.

 

It’s the tropics & storms coming across the Pacific can dump a lot of rainfall on windward rainforests but not much on drier leeward sides with cactus & keawe (mesquite) trees with occasional brushfires such as in Lahaina. And with the tall mountains on Maui & the Big Island, there are microclimates from rainforests to snow capped mountains.

Whoa, 4 feet? I'm finding it hard to comprehend that kind of rainfall. We get plenty of nor'easters in NY - and in Superstorm Sandy, I believe parts of Long Island had 13 inches dumped on it. That storm was devastating - I can't even imagine 4 feet of rain, all the mudslides, etc....

We will be on the Legend in about a month and am concerned about how the flooding in Hilo and Hana. They have both suffered an extreme rainfall. I hope both Hawaii and Maui are ok, but I suspect major flood damage on the big island and damage to road to Hana.

The Road to Hāna is open & being a rainforest area mud slides or trees down are common during heavy rain. The small road leading to the black sand Waianapanapa beach is temporarily closed as is a washed out road in the residential area of Haiku.

Maui News & MauiNow are good sources you could use for Maui info:

http://www.mauinews.com/

http://mauinow.com/

In Hilo I’ve only read about residential roads being affected so getting around Hilo shouldn’t be a problem for you. Even Rainbow Falls should return to its more normal gentle flow & not a raging river’s waterfall.

Whoa, 4 feet? I'm finding it hard to comprehend that kind of rainfall. We get plenty of nor'easters in NY - and in Superstorm Sandy, I believe parts of Long Island had 13 inches dumped on it. That storm was devastating - I can't even imagine 4 feet of rain, all the mudslides, etc....

Read another report that areas of the Big Island got 50”...tropical storms can result in a deluge.

Hurricane Harvey dropped something like 50 inches on Houston a year ago. And Houston doesn't drain well. Generally, I would say the Big Island drains far better.

Found this video online of Hilo flooding on Sat. http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/08/25/video-hawaii-island-flooding-update-noon-on-saturday-aug-25/ Hopefully, it's all drained out by now. The area shown initially is along the waterfront where there is a large park.

Hurricane Harvey dropped something like 50 inches on Houston a year ago. And Houston doesn't drain well. Generally, I would say the Big Island drains far better.

Harvey has the highest recorded rainfall since 1950 & Houston doesn’t drain as well as the BI.

“The highest storm total is 60.58 inches in Nederland, Texas, from Hurricane Harvey a year ago.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38964041/rain-from-lane-tops-50-inches-on-the-big-island