HONOLULU — The first storm of the hurricane season to impact Hawaii sent the islands’ residents into hurried preparation mode, but the state got through the weekend without seeing major damage as the storm was downgraded, officials said Monday.
The storm was about 130 miles west of the island of Kauai late Monday afternoon and was expected to continue moving west at about 9 mph before dissipating, the weather service said.
Darby was downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression before the National Weather Service on Monday downgraded it even further.
Meanwhile, heavy rains led to a series of sewage spills. A sewer near the Ala Moana Shopping Center overflowed, spilling more than 1,000 gallons before crews stopped it late Sunday.
As of Monday afternoon, city crews were busy dealing with eight other reports of sewage spills across Oahu — including 42,000 gallons at the Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Various brown water advisories were issued for coastal water off Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai from storm and flood runoff. Not all waters may be affected but officials advise staying out of the water if it’s brown.
Honolulu police had urged drivers to stay off roadways and avoid flooding that began late Sunday on the H-1 Freeway and other major thoroughfares. The freeway was reopened Monday morning.
The Honolulu Fire Department responded to at least 79 weather-related incidents over the weekend, including 59 calls for water evacuations or flooded conditions, Capt. David Jenkins said.
The office of Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said no road closures or damage were reported a day after he had signed an emergency proclamation.
Some damage occurred on the Big Island. A 70-foot vessel with 300 gallons of diesel aboard broke from its mooring and sank Sunday, sending debris onto shore.
The boat’s owner is arranging cleanup.
Popular east Honolulu tourist attraction Hanauma Bay reopened on Monday
The Red Cross says more than 200 people stayed in shelters on Oahu overnight and more stayed in the facilities Friday and Saturday in Hawaii and Maui counties. All statewide evacuations shelters were closed by Monday.
