When Mud, Flooding, and Missing Sidewalks Force Pedestrians into the Road
As Kihei begins to recover from the current Kona storm, many streets remain flooded, muddy, and partially blocked by debris. While the storm itself is now easing, the dangerous road conditions it leaves behind can persist for days or even weeks.
One of the most overlooked risks after storms is what happens when pedestrian access disappears.
When floodwater recedes, it often leaves behind mud, sand, sludge, and debris along the edges of the road, covering shoulders and making them difficult or impossible to walk on. In many parts of Kihei—especially along South Kihei Road—there are long stretches where sidewalks simply do not exist.
In those areas, pedestrians already rely on the narrow shoulder or berm beside the roadway. After storms, that shoulder can become muddy, flooded, or completely unusable, forcing people to walk directly in the travel lane.
Unfortunately, this is not a theoretical risk. It has already led to tragedy.
A Tragic Reminder From Last Year
After a major winter storm in late January 2025, heavy rains left sections of South Kihei Road coated in thick mud and debris, particularly in the Waipuilani / Kauhaʻa Street area. Residents reported that the mud remained on the roadway and shoulder areas for several days as cleanup slowly progressed.
Just a few days later, on February 4, 2025, a 48-year-old Kihei resident was struck and killed while walking along South Kihei Road near Kauhaʻa Street.
This location highlights one of the ongoing infrastructure problems in Kihei:
there is no sidewalk along this stretch of road.
Instead, pedestrians are left with a rough, muddy berm beside the road, which becomes even more hazardous after storms. When that berm is covered with mud or standing water, pedestrians have little choice but to walk in the roadway itself.
That combination—storm debris, poor pedestrian infrastructure, and vehicle traffic—creates a serious safety hazard.
A Known Problem in South Kihei
The stretch of South Kihei Road near Waipuilani and Kauhaʻa Street has long been known for:
Mud accumulation after storms
Flooding and standing water
Limited shoulder space
No continuous sidewalks
Pedestrians forced to share the roadway with vehicles
Even during normal weather conditions, pedestrians in this area are often walking along the edge of the traffic lane, because the berm is uneven, muddy, or blocked by vegetation.
During and after storms, the situation becomes significantly worse.
Floodwater, mud, and debris can eliminate the already-limited pedestrian space and leave people navigating the roadway itself.
Post-Storm Roads Are Not Normal Roads
After major storms like the Kona storm currently affecting Kihei, road conditions can change dramatically.
Drivers may encounter:
Pedestrians walking in the roadway
Mud covering the shoulder areas
Floodwater hiding debris or potholes
Stalled or stranded vehicles
Reduced visibility and poor traction
At the same time, residents may be trying to:
Walk around flooded areas
Check on neighbors
Access homes or businesses
Navigate blocked sidewalks or shoulders
These conditions require extra caution from drivers.
Driving too fast through floodwater or muddy streets not only increases the risk of losing control of a vehicle, it can also create large wake waves that push water and mud onto nearby properties and pedestrians.
A Community Responsibility
Storm recovery takes time.
The mud and debris left behind after storms often remain on the road for days, especially in low-lying areas where flooding and drainage issues are common. During that period, pedestrians are especially vulnerable.
Drivers can help prevent further tragedies by remembering a few simple principles:
Slow down in storm-affected areas
Expect pedestrians in the roadway
Watch for debris, stalled vehicles, and flooded shoulders
Avoid creating large wake waves when driving through standing water
Even a small reduction in speed can make a major difference in reaction time and safety.
Looking Forward
The current Kona storm will eventually pass, but the road hazards it leaves behind may remain for some time.
Kihei’s ongoing issues with flooding, mud accumulation, and missing sidewalks along key corridors like South Kihei Road continue to put pedestrians at risk, especially during and after storms.
Until these infrastructure challenges are addressed, awareness and caution from drivers remain one of the most important ways to protect our community.
For now, as Kihei continues to recover from this storm:
Please slow down, stay alert, and remember that post-storm roads are not normal roads.
A few seconds of caution behind the wheel can save a life.
