High Wind — Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

1998-12-03 to 1998-12-05 · Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

A strong high pressure area was centered north of Hawaii and was responsible for a tight pressure gradient across the island chain. This caused the very strong east to east/northeast trade winds that pummeled the state. The highest wind gust during the 3-5 Dec period was 69 mph, or 60 kt, at Kawaihae on the Island of Hawaii.The high wind event caused sporadic power outages on all the islands, with power lines and poles being felled by strong gusts. Also, trees and branches landed on power lines and across roadways, creating temporary problems around the state. On Oahu, a two-car accident was caused by a tree falling across Pali Highway in the early morning hours of 4 Dec. In Maui, a downed power line triggered a fire that burned about five acres of brush at the former Olowalu landfill.Some roofs on Oahu were torn off structures, including a refuse station in Kalihi and homes in Nanakuli, Manoa Valley, Kaimuki, and Waialae Nui ridge.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5675396. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.