Flash Flooding and Lightning Strikes in Hawaii, June 1 to 5, 2011

Name: Flash Flooding and Lightning Strikes in Hawaii, June 1 to 5, 2011
Start: 2011-06-01T07:04
End: 2011-06-05T12:00
Location: Hawaii

June 1 to 5, 2011 · NWS HFO · 15 events in 5 counties and zones

An upper low in the area caused showers and thunderstorms--even snow--over the Aloha State. Some of the rain was heavy enough to produce flash flooding over parts of the island chain.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $20,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HFO wrote it up.

An upper low in the area caused showers and thunderstorms--even snow--over the Aloha State. Some of the rain was heavy enough to produce flash flooding over parts of the island chain. The costs of any property damage were not available. One firefighter was injured when responding to a lightning strike at a residence on the North Shore of Oahu on the 3rd of June.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Honolulu, HI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 1, 5:33 AM HST, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 1, 5:33 AM HST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED AVIATION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
533 AM HST WED JUN 1 2011

.SYNOPSIS...
FRESH TO LOCALLY STRONG TRADE WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
THURSDAY...THEN DIMINISH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...WITH LIGHT WINDS
EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK. A LOW ALOFT WILL ENHANCE TRADE SHOWERS AND
BRING ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH SATURDAY ACROSS ALL THE ISLANDS.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
AN UPPER LEVEL LOW MOVING FROM EAST TO WEST OVER THE STATE HAS
DESTABILIZED THE AIRMASS WITH ENHANCED TRADE WIND SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS BUBBLING UP IN AREAS OF GREATEST LOW LEVEL
CONVERGENCE. IT LOOKS RATHER WET AND GUSTY TODAY ACROSS THE STATE
WITH RADAR AND SATELLITE SHOWING AN INCOMING WAVE OF TRADE WIND
SHOWERS. MORNING SOUNDING SHOW THE ATMOSPHERE AS ALREADY RIPE FOR
DEEP MOIST CONVECTION AND THE TRADE SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO
INCREASE ACROSS THE STATE DURING THE MORNING HOURS CONTINUING INTO
THE AFTERNOON. STEEP LAPSE RATES WITH PLENTY OF CAPE FOR ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE DAY...ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE
CONVERGENCE WILL STRONGEST AND BE MOST PERSISTENT SUCH AS THE
LEEWARD SIDE OF THE BIG ISLAND AND SOME WINDWARD AND LEEWARD COASTAL
WATERS. BRIEF DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THE SHOWERS AND ANY
THUNDERSTORMS...BUT SHOWER MOVEMENT WILL KEEP THE THREAT OF FLASH
FLOODING LOW ENOUGH TO NOT REQUIRE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH AT THIS TIME.
WILL NEED TO WATCH AREAS SHELTERED FROM THE TRADES...SUCH AS KONA
DISTINCT AND BIG ISLAND INTERIOR FOR POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SHOWERS TO
GET ANCHORED IN THE SAME SPOT. SEVERAL INCHES OF JUNE SNOWFALL
FORECAST FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS ABOVE 12000 FEET HAS PROMPTED A
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TO BE IN EFFECT THROUGH AT LEAST EARLY
THURSDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE SPOTTY...BUT IMPACT WILL
BE HIGH FOR ANYONE UNDER THESE HEAVY SHOWERS.

THE MODELS SHOW THIS UNSTABLE PATTERN WILL REMAIN WITH US THROUGH
THE END OF THE WEEK AS THE UPPER LOW MEANDERS AROUND THE WESTERN
SIDE OF THE ISLANDS. SO THE THREAT OF THUNDERSTORMS REMAINS
IN THE FORECAST AS WELL AS BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS AS THE TRADE
SHOWERS ENHANCE UNDER THE UPPER LOW.

THE TRADES ARE FORECAST TO DECREASE FRIDAY AND BECOME FAIRLY LIGHT
OVER THE WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. THIS WILL COINCIDE WITH A
GRADUALLY WEAKENING OF THE UPPER LOW OVER THE STATE. ENOUGH
INSTABILITY MAY PERSIST SATURDAY FOR CONTINUED ENHANCED
SHOWERS...BUT STABILITY SHOULD INCREASE SUNDAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK
FOR DECREASED SHOWER CHANCES.

&&

.MARINE...
LOCALLY STRONG TRADE WINDS FUNNELING MAINLY THROUGH THE HAWAIIAN
CHANNELS WILL PRODUCE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY /SCA/ CONDITIONS TODAY.
THE SCA WILL CONTINUE IN EFFECT FOR THE WINDIER WATERS THROUGH
TONIGHT...AND WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND THAT. THE TRADE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE TRENDING DOWN BY FRIDAY AND THROUGH THE
WEEKEND.

SMALL SOUTHERLY SWELLS WILL PERSIST OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS...WITH A
LARGER SOUTH SWELL OVER THE WEEKEND BRINGING SURF TO NEAR ADVISORY
LEVELS ON SOUTH SHORES SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. A MODEST LATE SEASON
NORTHWEST SWELL DUE IN THIS WEEKEND WILL BRING A NOTICEABLE BUMP IN
SURF HEIGHTS TO NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES INTO MONDAY.

&&

.AVIATION.../UPDATED 533 AM HST WED MORNING/
HAVE UPDATED THE FA AND AIRMETS FOR BATCH OF CB/TCU PASSING THROUGH
THE AREA IN THE TRADE WINDS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE HOURS. MOD ICE IS
POSSIBLE IN CLOUD AS WELL AS MT OBSC ALONG THE NE FACING BIG ISLAND
SLOPES. TSRA ALONG THE BIG ISLAND LEEWARD SLOPES IS STILL EXPECTED
THIS AFTERNOON AND MAY PRODUCE -SHSN ABV 120. PLEASE SEE THE AIRMETS
FOR FURTHER DETAILS. OTHERWISE THE GENERAL OUTLOOK FOR THE TAF
PERIOD REMAINS THE SAME WITH GUSTY TRADES AND WINDWARD FOCUSED PCPN.

&&

.HFO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM HST THURSDAY FOR BIG ISLAND
SUMMITS.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM HST THURSDAY FOR KAIWI CHANNEL-
MAALAEA BAY-PAILOLO CHANNEL-ALENUIHAHA CHANNEL-BIG ISLAND
LEEWARD WATERS-BIG ISLAND SOUTHEAST WATERS.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 6 PM HST TODAY WEDNESDAY FOR KAUAI
CHANNEL.

&&

BRENCHLEY
AVIATION...DEJESUS

The radar

The Kamuela/Kohala Apt radar (PHKM), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 heavy rain, 4 flash flood, 2 lightning, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Maui

When: June 1, 7:04 AM HST to 9:04 AM HST
Where: Maui County, 0.88 mi SSE of Nahiku to 0.71 mi W of Kaupo
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 20.819, -156.093

Flash Flood, Honolulu

When: June 3, 7:16 AM HST to 12:27 PM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.05 mi W of Kailua to 0.99 mi W of Kailua
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 21.401, -157.766

Kapaa Quarry Road in Kailua in windward Oahu closed to small vehicle traffic for a time due to flooding near Mokapu Saddle Road.

Flash Flood, Honolulu

When: June 3, 8:02 AM HST to 12:27 PM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.91 mi ESE of Waikane to 2.05 mi ESE of Waikane
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 21.492, -157.851

A portion of Kamehameha Highway in Waikane in windward Oahu was closed for a time due to flooding near Waikane Valley Road.

Lightning, Honolulu

When: June 3, 8:02 AM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.01 mi WSW of Kawailoa to 1.03 mi WSW of Kawailoa
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 21.613, -158.094

Lightning struck a residence near Laniakea on the North Shore of Oahu. One firefighter was reported injured in responding to the call.

Heavy Rain, Kauai

When: June 3, 9:58 AM HST to 1:13 PM HST
Where: Kauai County, 0.16 mi ENE of Princeville to 2.65 mi ENE of Koloa
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 22.221, -159.477

Lightning, Honolulu

When: June 3, 11:24 AM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 2.32 mi NW of Hauula to 2.21 mi NW of Hauula
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 21.645, -157.925

A lightning strike downed power lines along Naniloa Loop in Laie in windward Oahu.

Heavy Rain, Hawaii

When: June 3, 3:47 PM HST to 5:03 PM HST
Where: Hawaii County, 4.26 mi SSE of Kona Village Resort to 1.23 mi SSE of Holualoa
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 19.779, -155.944

Heavy Rain, Honolulu

When: June 4, 5:11 AM HST to 8:56 AM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.07 mi NNW of Wheeler Afb to 0.91 mi SSE of Kamiloiki
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 21.494, -158.037

Heavy Rain, Kauai

When: June 4, 1:06 PM HST to 3:07 PM HST
Where: Kauai County, 0.84 mi N of Kalalau Lookout to 3.56 mi SSW of Puhi
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 22.162, -159.652

Winter Weather, Big Island Summit

When: June 4, 2:00 PM HST to June 5, 12:00 PM HST
Where: Big Island Summit forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 19.602, -155.523 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Around 6 to 12 inches of snow fell over the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the course of 20 hours.

Heavy Rain, Hawaii

When: June 4, 4:38 PM HST to 7:31 PM HST
Where: Hawaii County, 2.38 mi NW of Kamuela to 0.63 mi S of Laupahoehoe
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 20.053, -155.697

Flash Flood, Honolulu

When: June 4, 7:35 PM HST to 11:37 PM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 0.16 mi ESE of Punaluu to 0.28 mi ESE of Punaluu
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 21.599, -157.898

THE BUS (local public transportation) reported two automobiles stalled in Punaluu in windward Oahu due to two feet of water flowing across Kamehameha Highway.

Flash Flood, Honolulu

When: June 4, 8:00 PM HST to 11:37 PM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.91 mi ESE of Waikane to 1.97 mi ESE of Waikane
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 21.494, -157.851

Kamehameha Highway was closed for a time by the county in windward Oahu because of water overflowing Waikane Stream.

Heavy Rain, Maui

When: June 4, 8:24 PM HST to 9:23 PM HST
Where: Maui County, 2.75 mi SSW of Kalawao to 2.19 mi SSE of Halawa Valley
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 21.143, -156.967

Heavy Rain, Honolulu

When: June 4, 11:46 PM HST to June 5, 2:42 AM HST
Where: Honolulu County, 1.25 mi W of Wheeler Afb to 1.66 mi NNW of Kaaawa
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 21.483, -158.049

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Hawaii in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Hawaii, June 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 308599, 308600, 308601, 308602, 308603, 308604, 308605, 308606, 308607, 308630, 308608, 308609, 308610, 308611, 308612.