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The weather system that soaked much of the state over the past few days has moved to the west, making way for sunny skies that are expected to last into the new year, according to the National Weather Service. Read more

The weather system that soaked much of the state over the past few days has moved to the west, making way for sunny skies that are expected to last into the new year, according to the National Weather Service.

“We’re flipping the switch from a wet weather pattern to a breezy tradewind,” lead forecaster Robert Ballard said Saturday. “There’ll be lots of sunshine.”

A flash-flood warning was issued for Kauai Saturday morning as heavy rain came down, causing a landslide that closed Kuhio Highway south of Hanalei Bridge. Flooding also closed the highway between Waikoko and Wainiha for a couple of hours.

State Department of Transportation crews reopened the road south of the bridge after clearing debris.

The flooding prompted Kauai officials to open an American Red Cross emergency shelter at Hanalei Elementary School. County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said several people stopped at the shelter to rest Saturday but no one stayed for a long period of time.

In the three-hour period that ended at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, more than four inches of rain fell in Hanalei and more than three inches were measured at Mount Waialeale, the weather service said.

The same weather system brought heavy rain to Oahu and Maui on Friday.

2019 is expected to start off with plenty of sunshine and breezy conditions for much of the week, with only a few windward and mauka showers, the weather service said.