As many as five vehicles were stuck in a flash flood that swept through Waikane yesterday, closing Kamehameha Highway in both directions for nearly three hours.

About 100 yards of road was underwater as Honolulu police detoured traffic.

The weather was caused by daytime heating and an unstable atmosphere that produced heavy showers over parts of Oahu yesterday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service had issued a flood advisory for Oahu at 2:10 p.m., which was canceled at 5:09 p.m.

The rain spread from Waikane across Central Oahu to the Waianae Coast, but caused problems in only Waikane, weather service officials said.

Honolulu firefighters called to help drivers with their stalled vehicles did not find anyone injured, said fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

The cars were trapped around Waikane Stream, which overran its banks near Waikane Valley Road.

More than 2 inches of rain had been recorded at the O'ahu Forest Reserve in the Koolau Mountain area over three hours.

The area has been plagued with flooding over the years.

In 2007 and 2006, parts of Kamehameha Highway were closed because of flooding and storm debris at the Waikane Bridge.