A deep upper-level trough amplified northwest of the islands, with a powerful jet streak along the western flank, supporting large-scale vertical forcing and lift over the islands. A broad area of low pressure formed at the surface in response to the strong upper-level low, which helped to draw a large plume of deep tropical moisture northward over the state. The combination of upper-level forcing, deep tropical moisture, and persistent southerly flow created an environment conducive for periods of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms and formed the basis for an intense, multi-day kona storm.
This event consisted of repeated rounds of heavy rain between the 11th and 15th, as a couple of smaller disturbances rotated through the broader upper trough. The first of these disturbances moved through late Tuesday through Wednesday morning, impacting mainly the western half of the island chain. Rainfall totals with this phase were generally in the 2 to 5 inch range, with highest amounts along the southern portions of Kauai and Oahu. Another, stronger disturbance Thursday through Sunday affected the entire state with multiple bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms. This phase resulted in rainfall totals of at least 5 to 10 inches over the vast majority of the islands. Swaths of higher amounts in the 15 to 25 inch range were observed along southeastern portions of Maui and the Big Island, with locally higher amounts of 30+ inches. The heavy rain also resulted in several daily rainfall records at our four official climate sites.
In addition to the rainfall, this storm produced very strong south to southwesterly winds with damaging wind gusts in the 60 to 75 mph range. Locally higher gusts in excess of 100 mph were observed at Puu Waawaa and the Mauna Kea Summit on the Big Island.
This kona storm resulted in significant impacts statewide, with the southern halves of Maui and the Big Island among the hardest hit. Impacts included numerous road closures from locally heavy downpours and overflowing streams, as well as significant flooding of homes and businesses, swift water rescues, and landslides. Wind impacts included countless power outages due to downed trees and power lines, as well as roof and other structural damage.
Several daily rainfall records were set at the four official climate sites in Hawaii (Lihue, Honolulu, Kahului, and Hilo) over the past several days:
March 10, 2026:
March 11, 2026:
March 13, 2026:
March14, 2026:
Seven day rainfall amounts from 8 am Tuesday 3/10 through 8 am Monday 3/16:
Island of Kauai Inches
Mount Waialeale (USGS) 21.58
N Wailua Ditch (USGS) 18.87
Waiahi Rain Gage (USGS) 14.91
Waialae (USGS) 14.11
Mohihi Crossing (USGS) 13.41
Hanamaulu (UHM) 12.73
Waiakoali (USGS) 12.60
Kalaheo (12008) 12.04
Omao (12004) 11.97
Lawai NTBG (UHM) 11.79
Wailua (12005) 11.23
Poipu 10.77
Puu Lua 10.04
Puu Opae 9.87
Lihue Var. Stn. (12006) 9.83
Lihue Airport 9.79
Kilohana (USGS) 9.28
Hanapepe (12002) 9.13
Waimea Tank (12007) 8.03
Port Allen 7.80
Waimea Heights 7.71
Anahola (12001) 7.57
Moloaa Dairy 6.59
Mana 5.16
Island of Oahu Inches
Kaala (UHM) 26.62
Maunawili (13008) 23.06
St. Stephens (13006) 22.77
Luluku (13016) 20.31
Schofield Barracks 19.66
Heeia NERR 18.21
Olomana Fire Station (13009) 17.97
Moanalua RG (USGS) 16.89
Kalawahine (UHM) 16.57
Makaha Stream (USGS) 15.77
Waiawa C.F. (3070) 15.69
Manoa Lyon Arboretum (3050) 15.38
Waianae Valley 15.36
Lyon (UHM) 14.79
Schofield East 14.76
Palehua 14.63
Palisades (3020) 14.25
Tunnel RG (USGS) 14.01
Moanalua (13003) 13.86
Bellows AFS 13.41
Kahana (USGS) 12.90
Pupukea Road (USGS) 12.64
Dillingham 12.19
Kamananui Stream (USGS) 12.03
Nuuanu Res No. 1 (UHM) 11.97
Palolo Fire Station (13010) 11.74
Waipio (3010) 11.70
Kaluanui (UHM) 11.49
Hakipuu Mauka (13004) 11.37
Punaluu Stream (USGS) 11.36
Kuaokala 10.68
Waiahole (USGS) 10.50
Ewa Beach USGS (3060) 10.46
Niu Valley (13001) 10.34
Waianae (13014) 10.11
Oahu Forest NWR (USFWS) 9.71
Kalahee Ridge (UHM) 9.55
Hawaii Kai Golf Crse (13015) 9.29
Waihee Pump (13002) 9.12
Waianae Boat Harbor 8.72
Kahuku Training Area 7.84
Kii 6.66
Poamoho RG 1 (USGS) 5.73
Punaluu Pump (13013) 5.43
Island of Molokai Inches
Puu Alii 18.49
Honolimaloo (UHM) 17.99
Molokai Airport 11.42
Makapulapai 11.00
Kaunakakai Mauka (14004) 9.70
Kamalo (14013) 8.93
Island of Lanai Inches
Lanai City (14012) 14.82
Lanai 1 8.37
Lanai Airport 7.84
Island of Maui Inches
Summit (UHM) 49.57
Kula 1 46.57
Puu Kukui (USGS) 31.87
Hanaula (UHM) 26.00
Keokea (UHM) 23.93
Park HQ (UHM) 23.48
Ulupalakua (14003) 21.45
Na Kula 20.60
Wailuku (14007) 20.46
Waikamoi Treeline (UHM) 19.91
Lahaina WTP (UHM) 19.61
Kepuni (USGS) 18.05
Lipoa (UHM) 17.55
Waikapu Country Club (14005) 17.44
Kealia Pond (USFWS) 16.62
Lahainaluna (14011) 16.12
Kahului Airport 15.96
Kula Branch Station (14008) 15.68
Olowalu (UHM) 15.61
Kahakuloa (14002) 14.51
Honolua (UHM) 12.68
Piiholo (UHM) 12.39
Hana Airport 12.22
Kula Ag (UHM) 11.27
West Wailuaiki (USGS) 11.13
Pukalani (14006) 9.85
Haiku (14001) 8.54
Kihei #2 (14009) 7.16
EMI Baseyard (UHM) 6.45
Island of Hawaii Inches
Puu Waawaa (UHM) 38.77
Nahuku (UHM) 34.20
Keaumo 27.35
Kaiholena (UHM) 26.18
Pali 2 25.80
Kahuku Ranch 23.89
Kapapala RAWS 23.59
Kapapala Ranch (15003) 22.92
Pahala (15004) 21.14
Lower Kahuku 19.34
Kawainui Stream (USGS) 18.14
Kona Hema (UHM) 18.14
Kehena (UHM) 17.81
Kulani NWR (5050) 15.71
Glenwood (15013) 15.09
Honaunau (15007) 15.07
Nene Cabin 13.71
Kealakekua (15008) 13.56
Pahoa (UHM) 13.48
Keahuolu (UHM) 12.42
Waiaha Stream (15009) 12.30
Kealakomo 12.28
Kamuela Upper (15002) 11.83
Puho CS 11.76
Pahoa (15015) 11.66
Mauna Loa Obs Stn 10.93
Lalamilo (UHM) 10.40
Pohakuloa Kipuka Alala 10.03
Palamanui (UHM) 9.82
Kaluamakani (UHM) 9.37
Waikii (15011) 9.33
Kahua Ranch (15006) 9.33
Puuloa (UHM) 9.10
Kaloko-Honokohau 8.62
Ahumoa 8.57
Pohakuloa Keamuku 7.45
Mountain View (15014) 7.28
Kamuela (15005) 6.82
Kaupulehu 6.81
Hilo Airport 6.67
Pohakuloa Range 17 6.19
Upolu Airport 6.07
Kaiaulu Puu Waawaa (UHM) 6.07
Pohakuloa West 5.91
Kona International Airport 5.80
Honolii Stream (USGS) 5.57
Kanakaleonui (UHM) 5.52
IPIF (UHM) 5.49
Piihonua (UHM) 5.48
Kohala Ranch 5.43
Honokaa (15010) 5.39
Waiakea Uka (5030) 5.09
Piihonua (5020) 5.07
The image below is from the Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) for the seven day period from 8 am Tuesday 3/16 through 8 am Monday 3/16.
Highest wind gusts during the event.
Location Speed Time/Date Elevation (ft.) ...Hawaii County... Kaiaulu Puu Waawaa 135 MPH 0420 AM 03/14 3809 Mauna Kea Summit 110 MPH 0143 AM 03/15 Helco Mamalahoa Hwy 2 76 MPH 0430 AM 03/14 1888 1 NNE Keahole Point 75 MPH 0323 AM 03/14 Kaiholena 73 MPH 0815 PM 03/14 2069 7 NNE Mauna Kea Summit 70 MPH 0600 AM 03/14 Puu Mali 70 MPH 0600 AM 03/14 6658 Honuaula Apple Tree 67 MPH 0348 AM 03/14 6117 Helco Mamalahoa Hwy 2 65 MPH 0700 PM 03/13 1888 Helco Mamalahoa Hwy 3 64 MPH 0500 AM 03/14 2175 Kaluamakani 63 MPH 0510 AM 03/14 6167 Kaupulehu 62 MPH 0536 AM 03/14 1221 Kanakaleonui 61 MPH 0455 PM 03/14 7714 Kileo 60 MPH 0419 AM 03/14 4858 Puuwaawaa 60 MPH 0537 AM 03/14 2222 Helco Mauna Kea Access Rd 59 MPH 1130 PM 03/13 6720 Helco Mamalahoa Hwy 59 MPH 0500 AM 03/14 2620 Ahumoa 59 MPH 0635 AM 03/14 6567 KONA 58 MPH 0445 PM 03/13 6197 Puuanahulu 58 MPH 0737 PM 03/13 2725 Waipoo 58 MPH 0930 PM 03/14 4531 Helco Upolu Airport Rd 57 MPH 0620 AM 03/14 298 Nahuku 57 MPH 0830 AM 03/14 3943 Aipalaoa 57 MPH 0425 PM 03/14 6689 Helco Kaupulehu Rd 56 MPH 0610 AM 03/14 550 Kahuku Ranch 56 MPH 0829 PM 03/14 5894 Helco Mahiai Rd 55 MPH 0850 PM 03/14 3889 Helco Marlin Blvd 54 MPH 0820 PM 03/14 4577 Pali 2 54 MPH 0901 PM 03/14 2808 Kealakekua 53 MPH 1050 PM 03/13 6037 Mauna Loa 53 MPH 0334 AM 03/14 5520 Uscrn Site Near Mauna Loa 5n 53 MPH 1000 PM 03/14 11181 PTA Kipuka Alala 52 MPH 0455 AM 03/14 5385 Helco Kohala Mountain Rd 52 MPH 0510 AM 03/14 3479 PTA Range 17 51 MPH 0449 PM 03/14 5689 Helco Hokuloa Ucc 50 MPH 0110 AM 03/14 2638 Helco Waikoloa Rd 50 MPH 0510 AM 03/14 1096 ...Honolulu County... Makapuu Beach 81 MPH 0107 PM 03/13 25 3 NW Schofield Barracks 78 MPH 1048 AM 03/13 Kamananui 78 MPH 1048 AM 03/13 1347 2 NW Kailua 70 MPH 0150 PM 03/13 Heco Kaneohe Bay Dr 70 MPH 0150 PM 03/13 450 Kaneohe Mcas 64 MPH 0101 PM 03/13 16 Schofield Barracks 62 MPH 0157 PM 03/13 979 1 ESE Kaena Point 61 MPH 1036 AM 03/13 Heco Kaukonahua Rd 61 MPH 0100 PM 03/13 56 Kaaawa Makai 61 MPH 0135 PM 03/13 9 Kuaokala 60 MPH 0636 PM 03/13 946 Kuaokala 60 MPH 0636 PM 03/13 946 1 NNE Waimanalo 59 MPH 0115 PM 03/13 4 NW Schofield Barracks 58 MPH 0948 AM 03/13 Oahu Forest NWR (USFWS) 58 MPH 0136 PM 03/13 1666 4 N Waimalu 58 MPH 0136 PM 03/13 Kalaeloa Airport 51 MPH 0115 PM 03/13 33 Kalahee Ridge 50 MPH 0635 PM 03/13 645 ...Kauai County... WAIMEA 96 MPH 1025 AM 03/13 82 Lihue Airport 55 MPH 0315 AM 03/13 148 ...Maui County... Kula 108 MPH 1030 PM 03/13 9724 Makapulapai 73 MPH 0115 PM 03/13 75 9 NNE Kaunakakai 73 MPH 0115 PM 03/13 Pohaku Palaha 73 MPH 1245 AM 03/15 2459 Meco Kealaloloa Ridge 72 MPH 0740 AM 03/14 1874 Waihou Spring 1 Raws 70 MPH 0326 PM 03/13 4062 Kaoniulu 1 Raws 70 MPH 0326 AM 03/14 2041 4 NE Kula 69 MPH 0126 PM 03/13 Kamehamenui 1 68 MPH 0948 PM 03/13 6737 Nenenest 68 MPH 1225 AM 03/15 8497 Kahului Airport 67 MPH 1115 PM 03/13 52 Kapalua Raws 1 66 MPH 1034 AM 03/13 220 Lanai Airport 66 MPH 0212 PM 03/13 PAIA 66 MPH 0944 PM 03/13 65 3 WNW Kula 64 MPH 0326 PM 03/13 Meco Kaanapali 64 MPH 1120 PM 03/13 389 Meco Lower Kimo Dr 64 MPH 0420 AM 03/14 2717 Kihei 63 MPH 1110 PM 03/13 85 Meco Waipoli Rd 62 MPH 1140 PM 03/13 3541 Meco Haleakala Hwy 2 62 MPH 1210 AM 03/14 507 Meco Upper Kapalua Airport 61 MPH 1220 PM 03/13 441 Kamehamenui 1 61 MPH 0648 PM 03/13 6737 Meco Hamakuapoko Rd 61 MPH 0400 AM 03/14 338 Hanaula 1 60 MPH 1147 PM 03/13 606 Kaho Olawe 1 60 MPH 0426 AM 03/14 1508 Lahainaluna 1 59 MPH 1248 PM 03/13 796 Meco Crater Rd 59 MPH 0330 PM 03/13 4314 4 ESE Kula 59 MPH 0348 PM 03/13 Waikalai 1 59 MPH 0148 AM 03/14 870 Meco Olinda Rd 59 MPH 0750 AM 03/14 4020 2 N Lahaina 58 MPH 1000 AM 03/13 Lanai 1 58 MPH 1137 AM 03/13 1270 6 WNW Lanai City 58 MPH 1137 AM 03/13 Meco Keawe St 58 MPH 1120 PM 03/13 141 AH6GR Maui 57 MPH 0546 PM 03/13 868 West Kuiaha 57 MPH 0320 AM 03/14 793 Meco W Alu Rd 57 MPH 0640 AM 03/14 511 Honolua 56 MPH 0145 PM 03/13 558 Summit 56 MPH 0730 PM 03/13 9799 Pohakea 1 56 MPH 0248 AM 03/14 182 Meco Upper Division Rd 55 MPH 0120 PM 03/13 368 Meco Piilani Hwy 55 MPH 0930 PM 03/13 301 Meco Kula 55 MPH 1140 PM 03/13 2234 Olowalu 1 55 MPH 1147 PM 03/13 546 Ilio 1 55 MPH 0224 AM 03/14 174 Anapuka 55 MPH 0225 AM 03/14 223 Meco Omaopio Rd 55 MPH 0430 AM 03/14 1066 Molokai Airport 54 MPH 1136 AM 03/13 453 Meco Maalaea 54 MPH 1110 PM 03/13 2 Meco Lahainaluna Rd 53 MPH 1120 PM 03/13 504 Meco Launiupoko 2 53 MPH 1220 AM 03/14 747 Kanaha WF 53 MPH 0511 AM 03/14 43 Honolimaloo 52 MPH 1220 PM 03/13 1318 Meco Ulupalakua Ranch 52 MPH 1250 PM 03/13 990 Meco Hansen Rd 52 MPH 1120 PM 03/13 68 Meco Makawao Ave 52 MPH 0320 AM 03/14 1595 Meco Kalae Hwy 51 MPH 0450 AM 03/14 766 Meco Honoapiilani Hwy 51 MPH 0730 AM 03/14 108 Kahikinui Raws 1 51 MPH 1134 AM 03/14 5399 Meco Baldwin Ave 50 MPH 0810 PM 03/13 1132 ...Maritime Stations... Molokini Light 61 MPH 0412 AM 03/14 190 44 NNE Kahuku 58 MPH 1057 AM 03/13
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