Flooding in Kaʻū caused by previous kona low storms in February 2023. A flood advisory is in effect this morning, Jan. 5, 2026, for portions of the Big Island, including parts of Kaʻū, because of heavy rainfall associated with another storm originally called a kona low by National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu. (Photo File: Joe Ashley)
Update at 7:46 a.m. Jan. 5: A flood advisory for portions of the Big Island has been extended till 11 a.m.
As of 7:41 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the windward Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honoka‘a, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Kea‘au, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punalu‘u Beach, Honomu, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.
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Original post: National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a flood advisory for eastern and southeastern portions of the Big Island in effect until 8 a.m. today (Jan. 5) because of excessive rainfall moving over those areas and causing likely flooding.
Radar indicated at 4:51 a.m. that heavy rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour over windward Big Island, with the heaviest rain along a line from Laupāhoehoe southward to Volcano.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaʻa, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Wood Valley, Keaʻau, Orchidlands Estates, Pāhala, Pāhoa, Pāpaʻikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Honomū, Kawa Flats and Hakalau.
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Flooding can be expected on roads as well as in poor drainage areas and streams.
The public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.