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A kona low developing west of the islands will draw abundant moisture northward as it strengthens and eventually departs to north early next week. Several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are anticipated.

Coast Guard and Navy aircrews rescued seven people and one dog during flash floods on Oʻahu Friday. A larger rescue effort by multiple agencies resulted in the rescue of at least 196 people, according to an earlier report from the governor.

In June of 2025, the popular strip shopping center near the Kīhei Canoe Club and the surrounding vacant land went on the market for $15.85 million.

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is activating the Stronger Hawai‘i Fund, a dedicated fund designed to support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience. As communities across Hawai’i continue to feel the impacts of severe weather, HCF is activating the fund immediately to deploy resources where the need is greatest across our state.

The Maui County Council voted 8-0 Friday to confirm Jacky Takakura as planning director and 6-2 to appoint Margaret Willis as director of the Department of Human Concerns.

For the safety of customers and the public, Hawaiian Electric cannot re-energize electric circuits serving the North Shore of Oʻahu until after mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted. This means about 4,200 customers in the area will remain without power at least overnight.

Gov. Josh Green called the kona storm from last week and the additional kona storm this week, the largest flood that Hawaiʻi has seen in 20 years.

Once mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Hawaiian Electric will inspect its infrastructure to determine when it will be safe to restore power to customers affected by a proactive power shutoff due to catastrophic flooding. However, if the evacuation notice is lifted after dark, crews must wait for daylight to begin inspections.

As heavy rains and flooding continue to impact Hawaiʻi—with a second kona low event rolling across the islands while communities are still reeling from the first—The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is positioned to respond to the evolving on-the-ground needs.

Aloha United Way has distributed more than $760,000 to 45 community-based organizations during the first two months of 2026, supporting programs that address food security, housing, housing stability, workforce development and other essential needs.  

Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services transportation will limit its operations to dialysis and essential medical appointments for Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Central, West, South, and Upcountry Maui beginning Saturday, March 21. 

Strengthening protections against predatory gambling practices, deceptive mail solicitations, cryptocurrency-related transactions, and ensuring residents’ online privacy are among the measures passed this session by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at 3:30 p.m. today, March 20, 2026, UPGRADED advisories to evacuation WARNINGS for parts of ʻĪao Valley in Central Maui and parts of Kīhei in South Maui due to the potential flooding threat to life/or property amid kona storm 2. Warnings and advisories are NOT mandatory evacuation orders. 

Maui Emergency Management Agency, County of Maui Parks and Recreation and the American Red Cross will begin proactively opening shelters across Maui today, March 20, 2026, ahead of kona storm 2 impacts.

An analysis of migration patterns across states and 384 US metro areas shows that higher prices tend to push residents out, while higher incomes attract them. In Hawaiʻi, both forces are working in the same direction, but while Hawaiʻi has always been expensive, the widening income gap with the rest of the nation is a growing and more troubling driver.

Due to anticipated inclement weather, the Department of Water Supply advises all residents and visitors on Maui and Molokaʻi to conserve water as a precaution.

MEMA, County Parks and Recreation and the American Red Cross will begin proactively opening shelters across Maui today. Shelters will provide cots, food, and water. Bring bedding, essential supplies and any necessary medications. Pets are allowed only if they are in crates. The length of shelter operations will depend on the severity of the weather. Additional shelter locations may open if needed.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is aware of national news stories reporting that small airports nationwide may close or pause operations due to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and funding of the Transportation Security Administration. HDOT is reassuring the public that all Hawai‘i airports are being staffed and will remain open and operational.

US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) announced the postponement of the upcoming community town hall in Lahaina as a second Kona low continues to impact the state with life-threatening flash flooding and emergency evacuations.  

The Maui County Council voted 8-0 this morning to approve a reduced $12 million emergency appropriation to fund ongoing repair efforts and rising overtime costs from what is now being called March Kona Low Storm No. 1.