Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid July 12, 2025
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated August 15, 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. 

June rainfall was below average in general, though above normal totals for leeward areas of the Big Island brought them out of drought.

U.S. Drought Monitor
Most of the state saw below average rainfall for the month of June, with the exception of the leeward coast and slopes of the Big Island. Drought persisted across much of the state with only minor changes, except leeward Big Island where drought was erased.
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Remains over portions of the Hamakua district of the Big Island, but improved over the Kau district.
D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas of Molokai and Maui (also the central valley),  Kahoolawe, and portions of the Kohala, Hamakua, and Kau districts of the Big Island.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covered most areas of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island not under D0, D2, or D3. 
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered most of the remainder of the state not under D1-3, which now including the rest of Oahu and portions of windward sections of the remaining islands.
No drought for the majority of Kauai and the Kona district of the Big Island due to above normal June rainfall.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
No Change.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: interior and northern windward areas of Oahu, portions of windward and southern coasts of Kauai, central Molokai, and the Hamakua district coast.
Drought improved: portions of windward Molokai and Lanai, as well as much of the Kona, Hilo, and Puna districts and portions of the Kau and Kohala districts of the Big Island. 
No Change: Rest of the state.

Precipitation
Most areas of the main Hawaiian Islands had below average rainfall in June. 
Meager windward rainfall had little to no impact on drought improvement for most islands.
Little to no rainfall for much of Maui county, except localized windward areas
Above average rainfall for leeward Big Island and beneficial rain (though still only ~70% of average) in June for windward Big Island

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
A representative from the Pulama Lānai land and resource management company reported “abnormally green” conditions on Lanai, with stable pumping levels below the need for restrictions.
Agricultural Impacts
The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience’s (CETAHR) Cooperative Extension continues to report poor range conditions across the entire Big Island, providing marginal feed with supplemental feeding required, as well as grasses drying up and slow productivity. Hamakua district ranchers on the Big Island reported poor pasture conditions, supplemental feeding requirements, and persistent water shortages. Ranchers are also weaning some of the cattle early, destocking cows due to lack of available pasture feed, as well as having to haul a lot of water in at great expense (Kauai too). Many reports on the Big Island cite not seeing conditions like this since around 2008.
Fire Hazard Impacts
Ongoing wildfire in Kahikinui area of leeward Haleakala (Maui). Many firebreak roads cut (likely future debris flow issue.
Other Impacts
None.
Mitigation Actions
Mandatory 25% water restriction in the Hakalau area of the Big Island until further notice. CWRM request to Governor to approve a state-wide water restriction. Mandatory non-potable water conservation efforts still in place for Kapalua (West Maui) with irrigation disallowed, and mandatory water conservation advisory for Kaʻanapali, Maui through July. 

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 14-day streamflow levels were near to below normal across much of the island chain, with windward areas and higher terrain faring the best. Leeward areas continue to struggle, especially West Maui.
The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were near normal for Kauai and below normal for Oahu and Maui. Little data available for remaining islands, but generally trending toward the drier end of things.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Below normal rainfall predicted through the rest of the dry season (through September) for most of the state, with equal chances for above/near/below normal for Kauai.
Existing drought expected to persist and possibly intensify/expand through the remainder of July and the dry season, especially over leeward areas.
Windward areas may see some drought relief as the seasonally more persistent trade winds take hold and potentially produce more frequent rainfall.
Will depend on moisture availability and frequency.