#drought

HECO’s Public Safety Power Shutoff is ready if needed as dry summer looms

June 30, 2025 · 9:05 PM UTC
As first responders, emergency management agencies and landowners prepare for a dry summer, Hawaiian Electric reports it is readying its Public Safety Power Shutoff program to reduce the risk of ignitions from its equipment in dry and windy conditions.

10th Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! campaign launches in Hawaiʻi

June 19, 2025 · 3:32 PM UTC
At a news conference Wednesday, state, county and nonprofit organizations involved in wildfire prevention and suppression, noted that since the devastating series of fires in August 2023, people are finally beginning to pay attention to the risk. They also emphasized that many parts of Hawai‘i continue to be impacted by prolonged drought conditions, with drought already impacting an estimated 386,000 people across the state.

East Maui kalo farmers won the water fight. Now they battle climate change and invasive species

June 18, 2025 · 4:01 PM UTC
Changing rainfall, persistent drought and invasive species are taking a toll on the watershed and leaving East Maui farmers with less water than expected after the restoration of streams.

Gov. Green issues Emergency Proclamation for Tropical Storm Hone

August 24, 2024 · 11:25 PM UTC
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has issued an Emergency Proclamation Relating to Tropical Storm Hone, to make state resources available as needed. “Given the high winds caused by Hone and existing drought conditions, it is critical that the state and counties be prepared to rapidly deploy personnel and resources such as the National Guard to respond to any wildfires that may ignite and threaten life, safety or property,” according to the EP.

5 cold fronts pass over Hawaiian Islands in January

February 14, 2024 · 12:00 AM UTC
January rainfall totals from the northeast half of Hawai‘i Island were mostly below average, while totals from the southwest half were mostly near to above average, according to the National Weather Service monthly rain summary.

Report: Despite El Niño conditions, Hawaiʻi rainfall is near normal

February 7, 2024 · 1:30 AM UTC
Ongoing El Niño climate conditions have not generated as much dry weather as expected in the Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiʻi Drought Council reports.

Update: Red Flag Warning for leeward areas of all islands due to gusty winds, low humidity

November 4, 2023 · 11:35 PM UTC
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. HST Monday. This replaces the Fire Weather Watch that had been issued earlier.

Severe drought now impacting southern and western coastal areas of Maui

July 14, 2023 · 2:56 AM UTC
Severe drought conditions are now impacting the southern and western coastal areas of Maui. According to the US Drought Monitor weekly reporting, this is the first time the severe drought designation has been noted in Hawaiʻi this summer.

Wildfire awareness campaign launches amid predictions of prolonged drought

June 8, 2023 · 8:30 PM UTC
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.”

More than 100 attend Kula meeting on water issues, axis deer and traffic safety

March 24, 2023 · 4:57 PM UTC
More than 100 upcountry residents gathered for a community update Wednesday night, organized by the Kula Community Association.

Hawaiʻi Wet Season Rainfall Outlook favors above average rainfall

October 19, 2022 · 11:26 PM UTC
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued its projections for the upcoming wet season, saying above average rainfall, especially from December to April, could help to relieve drought. But the agency notes that rainfall distribution can be influenced by the strength of La Niña, making the exact location of rain subject to strong or weak conditions.

Water treatment disinfection to change for Upper Kula water system on Sept. 6

August 27, 2022 · 2:40 AM UTC
Effective Sept. 6, the Department of Water Supply will change its water distribution disinfectant from chloramines to chlorine in the Upper Kula water system because of severe drought conditions Upcountry.

Link between wildfire and drought serves as platform for prevention campaign

June 8, 2022 · 8:58 PM UTC
The link between drought conditions and wildfire in Hawai‘i “is already in full play,” according to state officials, and conditions this summer are expected to worsen. 

Small non-farm businesses encouraged to apply for SBA loans for drought recovery

April 19, 2022 · 5:43 PM UTC
The US Small Business Administration is offering assistance to small, nonfarm businesses in Hawaiʻi through low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by ongoing drought.

Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility reopens in West Maui

April 8, 2022 · 9:26 PM UTC
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply has reopened its Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility after recent rainfall in West Maui increased water flowing in the Honolua Ditch. The ditch supplies surface water to the Mahinahina facility, which has been shut down since March 7, 2022.

UH Study: Normal will continue to be drier and drier, with more extreme wet weather events

March 21, 2022 · 6:17 PM UTC
The results of a recent study show that many regions are projected to be in permanent drought or pluvial conditions by the end of the 21st century.

Voluntary water conservation urged in Nāhiku, Maui

March 10, 2022 · 2:49 AM UTC
A recent lack of rainfall has reduced water flowing to the East Maui Irrigation tunnel that provides water to storage tanks at Nāhiku.

“Historic” drought conditions in Maui County accompanied by record low stream flow

March 9, 2022 · 6:36 PM UTC
Officials with the State Commission of Water Resource Management say a significant lack of rainfall across the island has resulted in a lack of groundwater recharge and surface flow at streams and rivers.

Disaster Emergency Relief Period Declared for Maui County Drought

November 10, 2021 · 7:04 PM UTC
Acting Governor Clare Connors has signed a proclamation that provides relief to Maui County, which has suffered under drought conditions since March 2019.

IRS: Drought-Stricken Farmers, Ranchers Receive More Time To Replace Livestock

September 27, 2021 · 11:30 PM UTC
Farmers and ranchers who were forced to sell livestock due to drought may have an additional year to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
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