Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid April 17 2026 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 14, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Widespread heavy rainfall in March resulted in additional 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. A storm system brought another round of widespread heavy rain March 19-24. These events led to significant improvement in streamflow and drought conditions statewide, but most notably for Maui County and the Big Island. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): None. D2 (Severe Drought): None. D1 (Moderate Drought): Remains over the Mauna Kea summit and upper slopes of the Hāmākua District of the Big Island. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Central valley of Maui and portions of the Big Island. None: All remaining areas not covered by D0 or D1. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One category improvement over southeast portion of the Big Island. No changes elsewhere. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One to two category improvement over much of Maui County and the Big Island, most notably for the interior and leeward areas. One category degradation over small portions of the Big Island (likely due to minor changes in category boundary lines, as opposed to actual drought development). No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation Map showing widespread significant rainfall across the state in March from two major heavy rain events Most of the state in excess of 10 to 15 inches for the month Widespread flooding impacts, most devastating on Oʻahu’s North Shore and Mānoa areas and portions of Maui. All (except for a few sites in northern Kauaʻi and eastern Hilo and Puna Districts of the Big Island) had above average rainfall for March Majority of sites 2 to 5 times their typical March amounts, with some up to 10 times. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts No current water shortages in effect from the various county water supply boards/departments. Agricultural Impacts According to the HI Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Waimea area of the Big Island no longer needs water hauling for crops/herds and reservoirs in central Molokaʻi look good. 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 remain under a Water Conservation Notice (reduce usage by at least 10%). Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts USGS Current Condition Estimate Percentiles map for stream discharge (cubic feet per second) Data for April 17, 2026 Snapshot of streamflow (discharge) for USGS-monitored sites across Hawaiʻi expressed as percentiles of normal for all years on this date. Does not represent a longer-term average streamflow Most stations across Hawaiʻi are still running near to just above normal for this date, showing the lingering benefits of the significant march rainfall. Some sites, mainly along northern portions of Kauaʻi, Maui and the Big Island are running below normal, mostly due to receiving less rainfall from the March events and being farther removed from significant February rainfall. Source: USGS Hawaii Water Conditions Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Remaining drought is expected to end over the Big Island within the next 3 months. No drought expected elsewhere. Currently ENSO-neutral conditions. El Niño likely to emerge (62% chance) this summer and continue through at least the end of 2026. Equal Chances (EC) for above, near, and below normal precipitation is indicated over the entire state for spring (due to model uncertainty), then probabilities favor above normal precipitation through summer and into the first part of autumn due to forecast for El Niño conditions.