Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands
Valid May 15, 2025
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated by June 20, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/hfo/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements.

Drought conditions persist or intensify over Maui County and the Big Island, but improve over Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

U.S. Drought Monitor
Portions of the main Hawaiian Islands saw drier than normal conditions continue, while other areas saw periods of heavy rain. Drought increased in severity over parts of the Big Island, but improved over Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Developed over portions of the Hāmākua, Kaʻū, and South Kohala Districts of the Big Island.
D2 (Severe Drought): Expanded into portions of the Hāmākua, Kaʻū, and North and South Kohala Districts of the Big Island. Remained over West Maui, the Maui central valley, and leeward areas of Molokaʻi.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covered remaining areas of Maui County and the Big Island not under D2 or D3. Continues over the lower leeward slopes of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered leeward areas of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change
Drought worsened: Portions of the Hāmākua, Kaʻū, North and South Kona, and South Kohala Districts of the Big Island and central Lānaʻi.
Drought improved: Portions of windward Oʻahu, leeward Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau.
No Change: Most of the Big Island, Maui County, and leeward Oʻahu.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change
Drought worsened: Portions of the Big Island and central Lānaʻi.
Drought improved: All of Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu.
No Change: Remaining areas of the Big Island and Lānaʻi, and all of Maui and Molokaʻi.

Precipitation
Several stations across the main Hawaiian Islands reported near to above normal rainfall.
A cold front brought pockets of heavy rain to Kauaʻi and the Big Island during the first week of April.
Most of the rain across the state fell during the second half of April as a series of upper level disturbances moved near the islands.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts
Low streamflow levels in West Maui have continued to result in reduced potable water production.
Low streamflow levels over portions of the Big Island have also resulted in little to no potable water production.
Agricultural Impacts
Ranchers operating in the upper Hāmākua and lower Kaʻū slopes of the Big Island continue to report poor pasture conditions. Some of them continue to supplement feed and haul water for their cattle.
Similar impacts continue in the Kaupō and Upcountry regions of Maui.
Fire Hazard Impacts
None.
Other Impacts
None.
Mitigation Actions
Stage 1 water shortage is now in effect for Upcountry Maui.
Water Conservation Notice is now in effect for the South Kohala District of the Big Island.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 14-day streamflow levels were normal on Kauaʻi and a few sites on Oʻahu. They remain below normal on Molokaʻi, Maui, and the Big Island and some sites on Oʻahu.
The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were normal on Kauaʻi, most sites on Oʻahu, and a few sites on windward Molokaʻi and Maui. All of the Big Island and most of Maui remain below normal.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Above normal precipitation is favored across Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, with below normal precipitation favored over the Big Island. Maui county will see equal chances of above, below, or near normal precipitation.
As the Hawaiian Islands dry season begins, most of the existing drought is expected to persist and possibly intensify through October. Windward areas of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi may see drought relief as seasonally more persistent trade winds take hold and produce more frequent rainfall.