Flash flood watch covers 7 islands

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the western part of the island chain from this morning through tomorrow afternoon.

The flood watch is for Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Kahoolawe.

Moisture from the south and southeast coupled with an unstable atmosphere may lead to heavy rains and flooding, the Weather Service said.

Continued heavy rains around Oahu yesterday caused headaches for residents and public safety personnel.

In Waikane, flooding along Kamehameha Highway caused an SUV to hydroplane, strike a guardrail and overturn. While no one was seriously injured in the crash, which happened just after 8 a.m., police were forced to shut down one lane of the highway until noon, when the vehicle could be removed.

In Kailua, police closed down the Pali Lookout while crews worked to remove a massive tree that had fallen across the roadway.

Also yesterday morning, a boulder apparently fell from a hillside in Pacific Heights and struck a gas riser serving a home in the area.

According to Gas Co. spokeswoman Stephanie Ackerman, the boulder sheared off the top of the meter, temporarily interrupting service to the residence. Gas Co. personnel repaired the device. No one was injured.

Drums sound at KCC

The Hawaii Eisa Drum Festival will take place Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. on the great lawn of Kapiolani Community College. Eisa is a drumming and dance art form from Okinawa. The event is free and open to the public. Visit tain.kcc.hawaii.edu or call 734-9576.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Bioenergy plant secures key permit

A planned tree-fueled bioenergy plant on the Big Island has cleared a major hurdle by getting a special management area use permit.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Friday the Windward Planning Commission approved the permit for Hu Honua Bioenergy, which wants to convert an old power plant in Pepeekeo.

The plant would supply enough electricity to power nearly 14,000 Big Island homes.

But some Pepeekeo residents have opposed the proposed plant, citing environmental, health, noise and other concerns.

The project near the shore needed a special land use permit from the county before work could begin.

Other obstacles remain, including an archaeological study and approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

A company spokeswoman said last week’s decision was a major milestone in getting the plant operational.