Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid January 12, 2026 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated February 12, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. A couple of significant rain events over the past month erased nearly all of the drought over the western half of the state, while drought generally persisted over Maui County and the Big Island. U.S. Drought Monitor Rainfall from a couple of significant events erased drought over Kauaʻi County and much of Oʻahu, and improved a portion of the Kaʻu District of Big Island. However, continued below average rainfall, along with low streamflow and other longer-term drought indicators, kept drought over Maui County and Big Island largely unchanged. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Remains over a portion of the Hāmākua District of Big Island, as well as the central valley and portions of Upcountry Maui. Removed from the Kaʻu District. D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas of Molokaʻi, all remaining areas of Maui except the eastern tip, and portions of the Kohala, Hāmākua, Hilo, and Kaʻu (slightly scaled back extent) Districts of Big Island. D1 (Moderate Drought): Remains over eastern leeward coast of Oʻahu and most of the rest of Maui County and Big Island not under D0, D2, or D3. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Removed from Niʻihau and remainder of Kauaʻi. Remains over the Kona district of Big Island and portions of coastal Oʻahu. None: All of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi, as well as a large portion of central and northern windward Oʻahu. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Status quo over the past week, aside from a one-category improvement over a small area of southern Big Island. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One to two-class improvement for Kauaʻi County and Oʻahu. One class improvement over eastern portion of Molokaʻi and Kaʻu District of the Big Island. No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation December rainfall above average for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, but still largely below average for Maui County and the Big Island (with the exception of the Kona District). Kauaʻi and Oʻahu were the top performers, thanks to a significant frontal rain event around the middle of the month. The Hilo and Kaʻu Districts also picked up some much needed rainfall early in January. Most of Maui County and leeward Big Island still struggling for significant rainfall. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts West Maui continues Stage 2 water shortage since 9/4/25 (includes prohibition of non-essential water use and severely limited irrigation allowances). Upcountry Maui remains at a Stage 1 water shortage as of 9/12/25. Agricultural Impacts Ongoing: Poor range conditions across the Big Island, with supplemental feeding required and persistent water shortages, especially in Hāmākua and Kaʻu districts. Ranchers weaning cattle early and destocking cows due to lack of available pasture feed, as well as having to haul water in and move cattle to Kona district for better grazing conditions. Many reports cite not seeing conditions like this since around 2008. Fire Hazard Impacts None. Other Impacts None. Mitigation Actions Big Island: Water restriction notice downgraded for South Kohala-Lālāmilo (10% now, down from previous 25% reduction, in water use) and recommended 10% reduction continues for the rest of South Kohala. Maui County: Mandatory Tier 3 (60% reduction in use) conservation continues for Kapalua (West Maui) with non-potable water irrigation allowed, despite intermittent rain, due to flow levels in the Honokohau stream remaining short of DLNR-CWRM standards. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts The 14-day streamflow levels were mostly near to slightly above normal across the island chain after some beneficial rains in mid-December and early January. A few sites on the northern Maui coast and leeward Oʻahu running slightly below normal. The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were largely the same as the more recent flows, except for the island of Maui. Western half of the state and Big Island still near to above normal Maui still below to much below normal in the longer-term (minimal rainfall over last month or so). Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map. Drought Outlook Drought is expected to improve or end over most of the state over the next 3 months. Big Island drought expected to continue. Probabilities continue to favor above normal precipitation due to lingering La Niña effects over much of the state (greatest chances for western half of island chain), despite a forecast for transition to ENSO-neutral conditions over the next few months.