#drought Maui

The declaration makes farm operators facing extreme drought conditions eligible for low interest emergency loan assistance from the Farm Service Agency, according to Senator Schatz.

The wet season outlook for Maui County calls for some drought recovery, according to a forecast released by the National Weather Service for the period of October 2013 to April 2014.

Recent heavy rains and forecasts calling for more wet weather, prompted a cancellation today of the 20% voluntary water restriction that was in place for Upcountry water customers.

Water customers in Upper Kula are being taken off of the Olinda Water Treatment Facility due to near-empty conditions caused by drought in the Upcountry region.

The drought watch goes into effect immediately, and includes the following areas: Haʻikū, Makawao, Olinda, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Ōmaʻopio/Pūlehu, Kula, Kēōkea/Waiohuli, ʻUlupalakua, and Kanaio.

“The methodology is to use rates as a strong push to get everyone to cut back their usage so that there’s enough for everybody.”

Areas of Maui identified in the report’s most extreme D3 classification were the southwest slope of Haleakalā including the Kīhei, Kamaʻole, and ʻUlupalakua areas.

A controversial bill that would authorize water rate increases or other water-saving measures during times of drought and declared water shortages is up for discussion.

The drought watch for Upcountry Maui was officially lifted on Friday, March 15, after nearly four years of voluntary restrictions, said County Water Department officials.

Extreme drought conditions remain in place over leeward areas of Maui County and the Big Island of Hawai’i despite excessive rainfall along the windward slopes, officials said.

The Kapalaoa Cabin in the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park on Maui is experiencing a water shortage due to lack of rain.

If the Department cannot maintain reservoir levels, officials say customers may be required to cut back water usage by 10%. Officials say dry weather conditions continue as well as low flows at water reservoirs.

The US Department of Agriculture designated Maui County as a primary natural disaster area due to losses caused by an ongoing drought.

Federal authorities today issued a natural disaster designation for Hawai’i County due to ongoing drought conditions. The designation clears the way for affected ranchers and farmers to apply for federal relief.

The Olinda Water Treatment Facility returns to the use of chloramines for disinfection following a temporary switch to chlorine in August when reservoirs were at near-empty conditions.

The drought worsened after improvements reported in the spring, resulting in a return of severe drought conditions to leeward Haleakala on Maui, and extreme drought conditions to the leeward Kohala and southern Ka’u District of Hawai’i Island.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply will begin reducing production at the Olinda Water Treatment Facility tomorrow due to near empty conditions at the Upper Kula reservoirs.

Moderate drought conditions continue over the leeward slopes of Maui from Lahaina to Makena and over the western third of Molokai.

The county’s Water Resources Committee will consider a bill to permit use of water from the Hamakuapoko wells during times of drought. Under the bill, customers in on the Upcountry water system would be permitted to utilize the resource during dry conditions that warrant a drought declaration. Committee Chair, Mike Victorino, who scheduled the bill […]

The drought declaration for Upcountry Maui was lifted after being implemented 10 months ago.Water officials say both the Piiholo and Kahakapao Reservoirs are nearly full, while flows at Wailoa Ditch are more than 60% and the smaller Waikamoi facility was at 42% capacity.The cancellation applies to Upcountry Maui only.All customers in Central Maui are urged […]