High winds kept firefighters busy over the weekend with numerous wind-related calls, and firefighters urged hikers to stay off mountain trails because a fire helicopter may not be available to rescue them if they run into trouble.
Firefighters responded Saturday and Sunday to five blown roofs and six downed trees across the island, the first call being a blown roof in Kailua at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. James Todd.
The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning Sunday for parts of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe and Hawaii island.
Easterly winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 60 mph battered the isles Sunday, and the weather service said winds will be strong and gusty through Monday. A wind advisory will be in effect until 6 p.m. today.
A high-pressure system about 900 miles to the northeast of Hawaii was driving the strong tradewinds across the islands, the weather service said.
On Saturday there were blown roofs in Kaimuki and Kailua, and a downed tree near the Ewa-bound lanes of the H-1 freeway offramp near McCully Street. On Sunday firefighters responded to five downed trees and three blown roofs in various neighborhoods, including Ewa Beach, Palolo, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Pearl City, Manoa and downtown, Todd said.
“We can’t really stop Mother Nature,” Todd said. He advised that residents “keep everything locked down so it doesn’t fly around to become a projectile that could injure people.”
Todd said the high winds could keep the fire rescue helicopter grounded, and stranded or lost hikers might have to wait longer to be rescued because firefighters will have to hike to reach them.
“It’s not really good to go in the mountains at this point,” he said.
He said it’s up to the pilot whether to fly the helicopter, but firefighters generally do not fly in windy conditions near mountains for safety reasons.
Meanwhile a winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Forecasters said the tradewinds will weaken in the second half of the week, and a typical tradewind pattern is expected for Christmas Day.
