#maui drought

NOAA Outlook: Moderate Drought to persist on Maui over the next three months

Maui County, Hawaii is currently in Moderate Drought (D1), according to the US Drought Monitor, and conditions are expected to persist over the next three months.

Mandatory need for water conservation lifted for South Maui

After two well pumps were repaired, the mandatory need to conserve water in South Maui has been lifted today, according to a County of Maui Department of Water Supply announcement. The department continues to encourage water conservation during drought.

Maui water director: Without conservation by Upcountry customers, reserve supply could run out in 3 weeks

Today, Upcountry system customers moved into a Stage 2 water shortage, with the most dire Stage 3 level likely to be implemented “soon” with reserves running low and drought conditions expected to continue.

Water demand in Upcountry, Maui exceeds 20%, Stage 2 Water Shortage to be issued

Due to low surface water flow and lack of rainfall amid drought conditions, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply is advancing the Stage 1 water shortage to a Stage 2 water shortage for the Upcountry service area on Nov. 8, 2023.

Severe drought now impacting southern and western coastal areas of Maui

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.

Hawaiʻi Wet Season Rainfall Outlook favors above average rainfall

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

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.

Water conservation requested for Maui Island

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.

Severe drought triggers call for water conservation in Maui County

The National Weather Service reports extreme drought on Maui in the lower leeward slopes of Haleakalā between Māʻalaea and Wailea, and severe drought in Maui’s Central Valley and Upcountry. On Molokaʻi, severe drought worsened to extreme drought on the west side of the island. Lānaʻi has severe drought over most areas.

Link between wildfire and drought serves as platform for prevention campaign

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. 

Take the Maui Now Reader Survey: Hawaii Safe Travel Program Ending, Fast Food Chains, Over-Tourism, Housing, “Historic” Drought

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about Hawaii’s Safe Travels program ending, recent reports of “historic” drought conditions in Maui County, creating more housing units, the increase of national fast-food chains opening this summer, and over-tourism and its impact on Maui’s resources and infrastructure. 

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

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.

Drought Disaster designated for Maui and Hawaiʻi Counties, allowing emergency farm loans

The United States Department of Agriculture has designated Maui County and Hawai‘i County as primary natural disaster areas as a result of drought, making farm operators in both counties eligible for emergency loans and other Farm Service Agency assistance. 

Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility reopens in West Maui

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.

Sugimura backs Upper Kula water improvements, use of recycled water from Kīhei

“Many upcountry residents were left without reliable and safe drinking water for over a month following the December storm,” said Sugimura.  “Improvements to our aging water infrastructure are sorely needed.”

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

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

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

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.

Plan pitches hiking water rates on Maui’s thirstiest users: visitor accommodations

When severe drought puts Upcountry under water restrictions — looking down the hill at South Maui’s green hotel lawns can spark frustration for residents. “It seems like the resort areas are getting preferential treatment and the rich people in Wailea can water their lawns without any kind of problems,” Norman Franco, county Board of Water Supply member, said during a meeting last week. “Of course, we know that they have a different water system. But If we intend to go on a more conservative approach on the use of water, it shouldn’t matter where the water is coming from, but how it’s used and being more fair in the . . . regulations.” 

Drought returns to Maui County during ‘strange’ wet season

After a brief reprieve in December, Maui County descended again into drought as below-average rainfall dried up the state last month, recent weather reports show. The changes are part of a “strange” wet season, according to Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
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