Kona Storm in Maui Leaves Iao Valley Home Collapsed as Stream Erodes Bank
In maui’s Iao Valley, Tom and Carrie Bashaw watched fast-rising water from Iao Stream undermine the ground beneath their house during a kona storm, sending parts of the structure into the water and forcing the couple from their home.
Maui couple watches stream take home as trees and land give way
Tom and Carrie Bashaw monitored Iao Stream as storm conditions worsened and trees began falling upriver. The couple said a large shelf of land between the river and their house started to give way; within about 30 to 45 minutes the river reached the edge of their back deck, which was roughly 60 feet from the bottom of the river.
They left the property and spent the night in a nearby barn. When they returned the following morning the backside of the house was in the river and both bedrooms were gone, along with most food and clothing. While checking the property, another section of the home collapsed around noon; Tom Bashaw captured video and said, “It just went boom, ” as the structure fell into the stream.
The Bashaws bought the property in 2018 and had been finishing landscaping and construction work when the storm destroyed the main house and portions of the land. They emphasized they evacuated quickly once conditions became dangerous and that they were safe.
Wider kona storm impacts: heavy rain, wind and sheltering across maui County
A powerful kona storm continues to affect maui County, producing periods of heavy rain and flash flooding that have forced road closures and caused damage from flooding, landslides and sinkholes. Over a recent 14-hour period some locations recorded more than 20 inches of rain while others reported wind gusts exceeding 70 mph.
Emergency managers and relief organizations opened shelters proactively; more than 100 people are using shelters countywide, which provide cots, food and water, and allow pets in crates. The public has been urged not to drive through pooling or moving water and to stay off roadways unless travel is essential so emergency access can be preserved and safety hazards minimized.
Road closures, park shutdowns and water conservation measures
Multiple roadway blockages have made travel into certain areas inaccessible. Travel on Hāna Highway into East Maui is cut off in places due to washouts, and South Kīhei Road north of Waipuilani and all of North Kīhei Road are closed. The summit and Kīpahulu districts of Haleakalā National Park are closed to visitors. Motorists were advised to treat malfunctioning traffic lights as four-way stops.
County officials have urged residents and visitors to conserve water during the storm because power or electronic system disruptions could affect water delivery. The mayor signed an emergency proclamation earlier in the week to enable access to state and federal assistance and to streamline deployment of resources and personnel as needed.
Emergency services reported floodwater rescues overnight in South Maui, and dozens of people at one shelter were cut off in Hāna when roads washed out. The National Weather Service anticipates severe weather will continue through Sunday for the county, with flash flood warnings issued for parts of the islands.
Authorities have emphasized that the duration of shelter operations and the timeline for reopening roads and parks will depend on how conditions evolve and on assessments of safety and infrastructure damage. For the Bashaws and others in Iao Valley, the immediate needs are recovery, salvage of remaining belongings and decisions about next steps after dramatic erosion and structural collapse left the home unusable.
