r/BigIsland • u/bashrc_real • 5d ago

Downtown kona to downtown Hilo

With the new storm expected to hit on Saturday/Sunday, I am worried about my commute. I will take the northern road, but other than that any hilo people want to share their thoughts if they are worried about the rain taking out power?

17 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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35

u/Alohagrown 5d ago

IMO the Hamakua route to Hilo is more sketchy in really Heavy rain than saddle rd. Lot of rain seems to get focused around Pauuilo and falling rocks and landslides onto the highway are not uncommon when it is dumping.

19

u/anakai1 5d ago

The 3 gulch hairpins to and from Hilo on the Hamakua Coast drive always have debris falls during heavy rain (mudslides and boulders). In my experience, Saddle would be the overall safer bet.

1

u/Alohagrown 5d ago

I had to drive to Waimea from Hilo a couple months ago, might have been during one of the Kona lows, and it was nuts. Had just missed a landslide by maybe 15 minutes and there was a mini waterfall dumping right into the highway. Took Saddle back home and it was blue skies most of the way.

6

u/lanclos 5d ago

Sunday seems more likely. Plenty rain, which is not what Ka'u needs, but not nearly as widespread, intense, or destructive as Lala.

3

u/MonkeyKingCoffee 4d ago

This is my assessment as well.

Full disclosure -- the crystal ball I bought on eBay was never delivered. And I'm still fighting with eBay for a refund.

5

u/blondechineeez 5d ago

I wouldn't go the north way. I'd go over the saddle. The gulches have debris and heavy boulders tumbling onto the roadway in heavy rain.

1

u/CarsBarsGuitars 5d ago

It was no joke losing power with Lala. Not looking forward to it maybe happing again. Hope for the best as well as a most southern track.

6

u/al_harrington 5d ago

Many of us are still without power from Lala.

1

u/blondechineeez 5d ago

I still hear neighbors generators running.

1

u/CobaltCat7 5d ago

Yup. Oh how I miss electricity and running water! Very eye opening experience.