Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid October 9, 2025 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated November 14, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Over the past month, drought conditions persisted or worsened over most of the island chain, with slight improvement over Kauaʻi. U.S. Drought Monitor Despite a better September rainfall showing than August, streamflow and longer-term drought indicators are still low, resulting continued drought for most of the state. However, significant rainfall over Kauaʻi in late September allowed for a small area of drought improvement. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Existing area expanded over the Hāmākua district, as well as an additional area over the southern Kaʻu district, of the Big Island. D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas of Molokaʻi and Maui (also the central valley), the Honolulu area of Oʻahu, and portions of the Kohala, Hāmākua, and Kaʻu districts of the Big Island. D1 (Moderate Drought): Covered most areas of Molokaʻi, Maui, and the Big Island not under D0, D2, or D3, as well as leeward Kauai and Oʻahu. Additional D1 development for the northern tip of Oʻahu and some expansion northward in the eastern leeward portion. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered most of the remainder of the state not under D1-3. None: Drought removed for a small area of northeast Kauaʻi. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One category improvement removing drought over the northeast tip of Kauaʻi. Elsewhere, no changes. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One category degradation for portions of the Hilo, Hāmākua, and Kaʻu districts of the Big Island, as well as portions of Oʻahu. One category improvement removing drought over the northeast tip of Kauaʻi. No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation Overall better rainfall in September compared to August statewide. Kauaʻi was the big winner, thanks to a couple of days of significant rainfall in late September. Maui County still struggling for significant rainfall. Summary of Impacts Stage 1 water shortage continues for South and Central Maui since September 2024 due to lack of surface water flow. West Maui continues Stage 2 water shortage since 9/4/25 (Stage 1 declared 6/30/22). Upcountry Maui upgraded to Stage 2 water shortage on 9/11/25 (Stage 1 declared 4/2025). Molokaʻi reservoir levels lower than last year at this time. Continued water deliveries needed across the Big Island to catchment customers. DLNR/CWRM reports Maui stream levels are lowest seen in over a century (W. Wailuaiki Stream lowest [in early October] in 106-year history). 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 (Kauaʻi too) and move cattle to Kona district for better grazing conditions. Many reports cite not seeing conditions like this since around 2008. Civil Beat news reports Big Island ranchers are hoping for a direct hit from a tropical cyclone to get the needed rainfall. Fire Hazard Impacts Brush fire closes Hana Highway in both directions near Kapakalua Road, in north Maui, as well as another fire near Pāʻia on September 23rd with evacuation orders. Several brush fires in the Hāmākua district, including one that burned around 420 acres in the Manowaiale’e Forest Reserve earlier in September. Other Impacts The PGA cancelled the Sentry golf tournament in Kapalua, Maui, due to drought causing the Kapalua Resort’s Plantation course condition to be “significantly compromised.” Mitigation Actions Mandatory 25% water restriction in the Hakalau area. North Kohala of the Big Island restrictions cancelled. CWRM request to Governor to approve a statewide water restriction. Mandatory Tier 3 conservation (improved from Tier 4) for Kapalua (West Maui) with non-potable water irrigation now allowed. Mandatory non-essential water conservation advisory continues for Kaʻanapali, Maui through November 1. Backup wells used for Upcountry Maui water supply beginning 9/11/25. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts The 14-day streamflow levels were mostly below normal across the island chain normal conditions for a few sites in the windward higher terrain of Oʻahu and the southern half of Kauaʻi. The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were much below normal for every island where data is available (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui) except for the areas mentioned as normal for the 14-day levels, which were near to above normal. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Existing drought areas are expected to persist through the remainder of October and likely into November. Existing drought is expected to persist on the Big Island through the end of January, 2026 due to enhanced probabilities for below normal precipitation through December. Drought is expected to improve or end over much of the rest of the state, mainly due to increasing probabilities for above normal precipitation (and likely La Niña conditions) predicted to begin during the November through January time frame.