Powerful kona storm brings warning level winds and flash flood risks; Flood Warning issued for Maui until 2 p.m.

***Future updates for Saturday, March 14, 2026 are now posted at the following LINK.

A Flash Flood Warning has been extended for the island of Maui until 2 p.m. At 10:05 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain continuing over the island of Maui. Some streams have risen, and more heavy rain can be observed to the southwest approaching the island. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa.

A powerful kona storm continues to hit Maui County, forcing widespread road closures from flooding, landslides, downed power lines and other infrastructure issues. The National Weather Service anticipates severe weather will last through Sunday for Maui County.

The Maui Fire Department conducted floodwater rescues overnight in Kīhei and ‘Īao; also, dozens of people, who are now at a shelter, were cut off in Hāna due to road washout.

County of Maui officials continue to urge residents and visitors to stay off roadways unless travel is essential.

During this severe kona storm:

• Stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary
• Never drive through flooded roadways
• Avoid areas with downed powerlines or debris
• Monitor official alerts and weather updates

A powerful kona storm will remain anchored northwest of the state producing periods of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. The National Weather Services says we can expect a combination of threats ranging from significant flash flooding, damaging winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits. Strong southwesterly winds will hold today produce damaging wind gusts. The highest threats for damaging winds remain along north and east slopes of island mountains.

Unsettled wet weather continues with decreasing southwesterly wind trends from Sunday into next week. This kona storm begins to lift northeastward from Sunday to Monday, heavy rain and strong winds will decrease as severe weather conditions start to ease across Hawaiʻi. However, periods of unsettled wet weather in a light and variable low level wind pattern will continue across the state into next weekend, according to the NWS.

The Flash Flood Warning that was in effect for Molokaʻi has since been canceled as of 10:15 a.m. Heavy rain has diminished and stream levels have decreased. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Monday for Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Molokaʻi.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for Maui County through 6 a.m. on Sunday. Island wide strong gusty winds are possible, but areas most at risk are communities north and east of steep mountains. The forecast calls for southwest winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph in Kauaʻi County, Oʻahu and Maui County.

 A High Wind Warning is also in effect for the summits of Haleakalā on Maui and the Big Island summits through 6 p.m. Sunday. The forecast calls for southwest winds 55 to 75 mph with gusts up to 110 mph. A High Wind Warning means that winds at the summits are expected to be at least 56 mph, with gusts over 66 mph. Take necessary precautions to protect property. Travel to summit areas should be delayed until winds subside.

A Flood Watch is now in effect for Maui County through Sunday night. Considerable flash flooding is possible as a large and powerful kona storm northwest of the state draws deep tropical moisture across the islands. Persistent bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms may produce intense rainfall rates, leading to rapid rises in streams and flooding of roads and low-lying areas.

A powerful kona storm is producing periods of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. Threats range from significant flash flooding, damaging winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits.

The National Weather Service reports southerly to southwesterly winds will be strongest from today to tomorrow and will produce damaging wind gusts. “The highest threats for damaging winds remain along north and east of the island mountains. Unsettled wet weather conditions with decreasing southwesterly wind trends will continue into early next week,” the NWS reports.

This kona storm begins to lift northward on Monday, and unsettled weather will start to ease across the state. High pressure will build back in north of the state on Wednesday allowing trade winds to return spreading from north to south down the island chain reaching Maui and the Big Island by Thursday morning.

Previous posts:

A Flash Flood Warning has been extended for the island of Maui until 11 a.m. At 9:46 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain continuing over the island of Maui. Some streams have risen, and more heavy rain can be observed to the southwest approaching the island. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa. Additionally, Emergency Management has reported several roads closed across the island due to flooding.

At 7 a.m., radar showed moderate rain over the island of Maui. Stream levels remain elevated, and although there is a temporary decrease in rainfall, more heavy rain can be observed to the southwest approaching the island. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa. Additionally, Emergency Management has reported several roads closed across the island due to flooding.

At 5:14 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain over the island of Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of half an inch to 1 inch per hour. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa. Additionally, Emergency Management continues to report several roads closed in Kīhei due to flooding.

At 4:43 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain over the island of Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of half an inch to 1 inch per hour. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa. Additionally, Emergency Management continues to report several roads closed in Kīhei and Lahaina due to flooding.

At 2:40 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain over the island of Maui, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā between Mākena and Hāmoa. Additionally, Emergency Management continues to report several roads closed in Kīhei and Lahaina due to flooding.

At 10:55 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the island of Maui falling at a rate of 1.5 to 2 inches per hour. The heaviest rain continues to fall over the south-facing slopes and coasts from Māʻalaea Bay to Kīhei to Mākena to Kīpahulu. Additionally, Emergency Management reported several roads closed in Kīhei and Lahaina due to heavy flooding.

At 9:38 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the island of Maui, falling at a rate of 1.5 to 2 inches per hour. The heaviest rain is falling over the south-facing slopes and coasts from Māʻalaea Bay to Kīhei to Mākena to Kīpahulu. Additionally, law enforcement reported multiple road closures and water entering homes in the Kīhei area.

At 8:35 p.m, radar showed heavy rain over the island of Maui falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour. The heaviest rain was falling over the south-facing slopes of West Maui and Haleakalā from Kāʻanapali to Kīhei to Mākena to Kīpahulu. Emergency Management also reported flooding in Kīhei with South Kīhei Road closed between North Kīhei and Uwapo Road.

At 7:53 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the island of Maui, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The heaviest rain is falling over the south-facing slopes of West Maui and Haleakalā from Kāʻanapali to Kīhei to Makena to Kīpahulu. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, Kēōkea, Hāliʻimaile, Pāʻia, Puʻunēnē, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela, Wailea, Paʻuwela, Māʻalaea, Huelo, ʻUlupalakua, Mākena, Waikapū, Wailuku and Waiehu.

Flooding was reported at 6:41 PM near ʻĪao Valley Road in Wailuku. No evacuation orders in place at this time. However, if you need extra time, begin preparing to leave now. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Follow instructions from officials and stay informed.

At 5:37 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the island of Maui, falling at a rate of 1 to 2.5 inches per hour. The heaviest rain is falling over the south-facing slopes of Haleakalā where ʻUkumehame Gulch has risen significantly. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

A Flash Flood Warning has been extended for the island of Molokaʻi until 11 a.m. At 7:05 a.m., radar showed moderate rain over Molokaʻi, with rain falling at a rate of half an inch per hour. Although rainfall rates remain low, Emergency Management reported that high water continues to flow over Kamehameha Highway near Mile 6, and that it is currently closed to vehicular traffic. Additional rain is expected to move in from the southwest.

At 5:11 a.m., radar showed moderate rain over Molokaʻi, with rain falling at a rate of half an inch per hour. Although rainfall rates remain low, Emergency Management reported that high water continues to flow over Kamehameha Highway near Mile 6, and that it is currently closed to vehicular traffic.

At 4:40 a.m., radar showed moderate to locally heavy rain over Molokaʻi, with rain falling at a rate of half an inch per hour. Although rainfall rates remain low, Emergency Management reported that high water continues to flow over Kamehameha Highway near mile marker 6, and that it is currently closed to vehicular traffic. Additional moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to move into the island during the next couple of hours.

At 2:37 a.m., radar showed light to moderate rain over Molokaʻi, with rain falling at a rate of a half inch per hour. Although rainfall rates have diminished, Emergency Management reported that high water continues to flow over Kamehameha Highway near Mile 6, and that it is currently closed to vehicular traffic.

At 11:51 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over Molokaʻi, falling at a rate of half an inch to an inch per hour. Emergency Management reported high water flowing over Kamehameha Highway near mile marker 6, and that it remains open only to 4 wheel drive vehicles at this time.

At 10:42 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over Molokaʻi, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Emergency Management reported high water flowing over Kamehameha Highway near mile marker 6, and that it remains open only to 4 wheel drive vehicles at this time.

At 8:50 p.m., the Kawela Gulch stream gauge remains elevated. Emergency Management reported water flowing over Kamehameha Highway at the Kamalo Dip between mile markers 10 and 11, but it remains passable at this time. Additional heavy rainfall will move into Molokaʻi in the next couple of hours, which is expected to result in additional flash flooding, and could lead to the closure of Kamehameha Highway.

At 6:05 p.m., the Kawela Gulch stream gauge reported a rapid rise in water level. Flooding is occurring and may affect other nearby drainages. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Kaunakakai, Kualapuʻu, Hoʻolehua, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kamalo, Maunaloa, Ualapuʻe, Kepuhi, Pukoʻo, Hālawa Valley and Molokaʻi Airport.

A Flood Advisory has been extended until 6:45 p.m. for the island of Maui. At 4 p.m., radar showed areas of heavy rain moving into the island of Maui from the southwest. The heaviest
rainfall was occurring along the south slopes of Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This could result in additional road closures along Piʻilani and Honoapiʻilani Highways as rainfall drains through the streams down to the coast over the next few hours.

A Flood Advisory is now in effect until 6:30 p.m. for the island of Molokaʻi in Maui County. At 3:27 p.m., radar showed heavy rain moving over Molokaʻi from the southwest. The heaviest rainfall is focused along the southern slopes of the terrain and falling at a rate of 0.5 to 2 inches per hour. This would most likely result in water over Kamehameha V Highway and closure of the road, especially near Kawela Gulch and Nuʻu Streams which already have elevated water levels.