LIHU’E — Miami University of Ohio student John Silva of Kealia narrowly ducked being showered by this Rice Street geyser on Thursday afternoon. Silva was in a car being driven by Lyle Stemo when a fire hydrant located in front
LIHU’E — Miami University of Ohio student John Silva of Kealia narrowly ducked being showered by this Rice Street geyser on Thursday afternoon.
Silva was in a car being driven by Lyle Stemo when a fire hydrant located in front of the Lihue Post Office was knocked over by a driver in another vehicle causing the plume of water to rise from a county Water Department water main. The height of the rushing water almost reached above nearby power poles.
Fire trucks were called out and traffic heading makai and mauka on Rice Street was affected.
By shortly after 3 p.m. county workers had the situation well in hand and the geyser disappeared.
On Kuhio Highway, at least two fire hydrants susceptible to being knocked off have been moved back from the edge of the road. One in front of the Oki Diner, and the other near Pizza Hut.
Silva, who is a biology major, is home on Christmas break from school, he heads back to the Midwest on Saturday.
