Hawaii braces for storm as schools, parks shut down across islands

"We have a big storm coming, and it's going to hit us pretty hard. ... We're concerned. The closures were issued out of caution as forecasters warned of flooding, landslides and hazardous travel conditions."

"Kona storms, sometimes called Kona lows, are seasonal cyclones that typically occur during the winter months near the Hawaiian Islands. The systems are associated with winds blowing from the kona or westerly leeward direction, opposing the state's usual trade winds."

"The Hawaii State Department of Education confirmed there will be no in-person classes or extracurricular activities Friday on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Students and staff were instructed not to report to campuses or department offices unless directed."

A significant Kona storm is impacting Hawaii with heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and strong winds across multiple islands. Kona storms are seasonal winter cyclones characterized by westerly winds opposing Hawaii's typical trade winds. Governor Josh Green warned of up to 15 inches of rain in some areas, leading to precautionary shutdowns on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui County. Schools across the University of Hawaii system closed Friday, and outdoor events canceled through Saturday. Public facilities, parks, golf courses, and trails shut down as precautions. Emergency shelters opened with available beds and resources, with additional shelters ready if conditions deteriorate. The Hawaii State Department of Education canceled in-person classes and extracurricular activities Friday across multiple islands.

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