#drought Maui

The May 2024 Hawaiʻi Rainfall Summary report shows that Maui County once again had a wide range of rainfall conditions during the month of May. Most of the gauges along the windward slopes had near to above average rainfall, and most of the leeward sites had below average rainfall.

Hawaiian Electric today announced actions it is taking as part of its Wildfire Safety Strategy, particularly in drought-stricken areas at elevated risk for wildfires.

Three weeks after the devastation of Lahaina, crews are still working to recover and to strengthen defenses against windstorms and wildfires. With high winds and severe drought conditions continuing to threaten parts of Maui, the trio vowed to work together to minimize the risk of wildfire and ensure public safety.

Derek Wroe of the National Weather Service cautioned about weather complacency: “While everything is green and lush right now, we are expecting below-average rainfall, as we enter the dry season in Hawai‘i. Our long-range modeling shows that even our normally wet winter (2023-2024) will be abnormally dry.”

The Department of Water Supply is requesting that all Maui Island residents and visitors conserve water in an effort to reduce demand and extend existing supplies.

Dry conditions are ongoing in West Maui and have reduced water flowing from Honolua Ditch and Kanaha Stream. These water sources supply the Mahinahina and Lahaina Water treatment facilities, respectively.

Senator Lynn DeCoite is asking Governor David Ige to explore the possibility of issuing a second emergency proclamation to address the continued mitigation efforts in Maui County to manage the axis deer population.

A Stage 1 water shortage declaration will take effect July 2, 2021 for Upcountry Maui, due to dry conditions and high water use. Beginning July 2, the department will prohibit Upcountry water consumers from using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles or other nonessential activities.

West Maui residents and businesses served by the County of Maui Department of Water Supply are reminded to voluntarily conserve water while the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility undergoes upgrades. The facility is expected to be back online no later than Aug. 6, 2021.

An emergency assistance program has opened for farming and ranching operations that have suffered losses due to excessive deer populations on Molokaʻi and Maui.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply will end Stage 1 water restrictions for Upcountry and West Maui customers, effective Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.

Ongoing drought conditions have triggered operational changes for domestic water supply delivery to about 2,000 customers on the Upper Kula water system, according to the Department of Water Supply.

Due to lack of rainfall, the Department of Water Supply is requesting consumers in the Upcountry and West Maui areas to conserve water.

The existing drought conditions are expected to be eliminated by the end of the wet season, which runs from October 2019 through April of 2020.

On April 12, the US Drought Monitor reported that 98.3% of the state was abnormally dry or drier. Maui and Kalawao counties were designated as a natural disaster area on April 20, 2016, making all qualified farm operators in the locations eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.

Due to low rainfall over the last two months, the Department of Water Supply is asking all consumers in the Kaupō area to conserve water.

The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, in collaboration with the Maui Wildfire Coordinating Group, Maui Fire Department and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife will hold community meetings to help develop new Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Upcountry/Central Maui and South Maui. All full-time and part-time residents in these areas are encouraged to attend.

Members of the council committee on water resources today passed a bill on first reading that seeks to establish special water rate actions and conservation measures during times of water shortages and drought.

The affected area includes Haʻikū, Makawao, Olinda, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, ʻŌmaʻopio/Pūlehu, Kula, Keōkea/Waiohuli, ʻUlupalakua, and Kanaio. The voluntary conservation is requested for the next two to three months until the rains restore water levels in the reservoirs.

The severe drought status that had plagued parts of the state has finally been eliminated, according to a drought information statement released today by the National Weather Service.