Kona storm

Although normally dry and leeward, the traditional easterly (to northeasterly) tradewinds slacken and reverse during one of these cyclones.

[8] Kona winds are associated with cyclones with central pressures below 1,000.0 hectopascals (29.53 inHg) which pass within 500 miles/820 km northwest of the Hawaiian Islands.

[10] The storm caused severe weather across the entire state, forcing the closure of all airports.

Rainfall from the storm was extremely heavy, surpassing twenty inches in many locations, particularly on the Big Island and Maui.

[10] Winds from the storm averaged around 40-50 mph on the open ocean, but varied tremendously on land due to unique geographic features.

On the high mountain summits of the Big Island and Maui, winds of over 110 mph (180 km/h) were recorded.

[10][11] In December 2008, lightning strikes from a Kona storm caused the entire power grid of the island of Oahu to black out, while then President-elect, Barack Obama was visiting.