Tuesday’s heavy rains brought 3 inches to some Kona areas

KAILUA-KONA — More than 3 inches of rain fell over some areas of West Hawaii on Tuesday as inclement weather passed, triggering a flood advisory.

The advisory, issued at 4:18 p.m. Tuesday, noted rainfall rates of 1-3 inches over areas of North and South Kona with the heaviest rain occurring upslope of Kailua-Kona.

According to the National Weather Service, the Waiaha Stream rain gauge registered 3.11 inches of rain during the 24-hour period ending at 3 a.m. Wednesday. The majority of that rainfall, 3.06 inches, fell after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

That 3.11 inches is nearly the total average rainfall for October in the area, according to National Weather Service hydrology data. Typically, 3.42 inches of rain falls during the month’s 31 days.

The Honaunau gauge recorded 3.01 inches of rain during the 24-hour period ending at 3 a.m. Wednesday. About 2.22 inches of that fell after 3 p.m.

Outside those two areas, rainfall was substantially less with Kealakekua recording the next highest 24-hour total at 1.78 inches. Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park recorded just under a half-inch while Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Site recorded just 0.34 inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending at 3 a.m. Wednesday.

“It was a healthy rain, but I don’t think it broke any records,” said Kevin Kodama, senior hydrologist with the National Weather Service. “I’ve seen it worse than that.”