Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid March 19, 2026 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 14, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Pronounced windward rainfall statewide in February, along with widespread heavy rainfall in early March resulted in significant drought improvement over Maui County and the Big Island. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the main Hawaiian Islands A kona low brought considerable heavy rainfall to the entire state during the week of March 10-16. This feature led to significant improvement in streamflow and drought conditions to Maui, Molokaʻi, and the Big Island. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Remains over a small portion of the Mauna Kea summit area of the Big Island, but was slightly reduced in areal coverage. Removed from the Maui Central Valley. D2 (Severe Drought): Remains only over a small portion of the Mauna Kea summit area surrounding the D3 area. D1 (Moderate Drought): Remains over a small part of leeward Molokaʻi, the Central Valley and Upcountry areas of Maui, as well as a smaller portion of the Hāmākua District of the Big Island. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Lānaʻi, portions of leeward Molokaʻi and Maui, as well as the rest of the Big Island not under D3, D2, D1, or D0. None: All of Kauaʻi County, Oʻahu; eastern portions of Molokaʻi and Maui; much of the leeward Big Island and its windward coast. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One to two-category improvements over Maui County, and the Big Island. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Same changes as the one-week map for Maui County and the Big Island One to two-category improvements over leeward Oʻahu No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation Through the first two months of 2026, the majority of windward areas are running above average, while most leeward areas are below average. A pair of kona lows during the second two weeks of March brought widespread heavy rain to the entire island chain, especially the leeward slopes. Leeward Maui County and the Big Island received the most rainfall from these events, which should help bring those areas close to or even above average for the year so far. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts The Maui County Department of Water Supply has lifted the water shortages for West Maui and Upcountry Maui as of 3/17/26 due to recent heavy rainfall significantly improving surface water conditions. Maui County reservoir levels have also risen as rainfall replenishment strengthens overall water supply conditions. Agricultural Impacts According to the HI Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Waimea area of the Big Island still very dry with trouble getting water for cattle herds in area ranches. In addition, late February rain on the windward side did not translate well to Big Island farmers in general. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Service continues to receive requests for water hauling from ranchers. Fire Hazard Impacts None. Other Impacts None. Mitigation Actions Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Services: South Kohala-Lālāmilo and South Hilo-Honomū areas remain under a Mandatory Water Restriction Notice (25% reduction in water use, 50% reduction for irrigation customers). South Kohala-Waimea and South Hilo-Hakalau areas under a Water Conservation Notice (reduce usage by 10%). Maui County Department of Water Supply: Water restrictions lifted. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Drought is expected to end over most of the remainder of the state over the next 3 months. Probabilities continue to favor above normal precipitation over the entire state into the first part of the summer, partly associated with predicted positive SST anomalies near the islands. Most climate models are predicting a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions within the next month and continuing through most of the spring.