LIHU‘E — The storm Tuesday night led to stranded passengers and water conservation efforts. According to the National Weather Service, some parts of Kaua‘i received almost three inches of rain within a 24-hour period, causing both inbound and outbound flights
LIHU‘E — The storm Tuesday night led to stranded passengers and water conservation efforts.
According to the National Weather Service, some parts of Kaua‘i received almost three inches of rain within a 24-hour period, causing both inbound and outbound flights to be canceled for the night.
About 15 travelers were stuck overnight Tuesday in the Lihu‘e Airport when stormy weather forced Hawaiian Airlines to cancel three flights.
Passengers on two Hawaiian Airlines flights from O‘ahu and one from Maui were unable to land in Lihu‘e and were rerouted back to O‘ahu. Hawaiian Airlines provided hotels for anyone who lived off-island.
One Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Kaua‘i was diverted to Honolulu, said Sue Kanoho of the Kaua‘i Visitor’s Bureau in an email.
Hawaiian Airlines was able to accommodate their passengers and rebook them for travel first thing Wednesday morning, while working with area hotels to provide places to stay.
In addition, Hawaiian Airlines was able to get one final plane to Lihu‘e around 11 p.m. and was able to get it back to O‘ahu, said Kanoho.
One Delta flight wasn’t able to make it to Kaua‘i at all and about 15 Delta passengers spent the night in the airport and were given toiletries and blankets, Kanoho said.
The heavy rain also caused a number of problems around the island, including mild flooding, power outages and water conservation requests.
Water conservation efforts from the Kaua‘i County Department of Water remain in effect until at least Thursday for Kalaheo, Hanapepe and ‘Ele‘ele due to a power failure that occurred Tuesday night, which affected source wells in Hanapepe Valley.
Crews are working to make repairs, “but they can’t cross the river to access the work site due to rain,” said Joy Buccat, acting public relations specialist with the DOW.
Conservation efforts ask residents to only water for essential needs, such as cooking, taking showers, using the toilet and doing light laundry.
Buccat said the county hopes tapping into a additional water source will sustain the area to refill the water tanks.
The department also asked residents notify anyone they know affected by the conservation request.
For more information call the Kaua‘i County Department of Water at 245-5461.
The Wailua Golf Course was closed Wednesday due to the weather, but is expected to reopen today, according to a county press release.
• Laurie Cicotello, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or business@thegardenisland.com
