Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid November 13, 2025 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated December 12, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Over the past month, drought conditions mainly persisted or worsened over most of the island chain, with continued below average rainfall. U.S. Drought Monitor Rainfall still running mainly below average across the state, along with low streamflow and longer-term drought indicators. Drought areas largely unchanged over the past month, aside from some worsening in the Maui Upcountry and central valley areas. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Areas over the Hāmākua and southern Kaʻu districts, of the Big Island remain. The central valley and portions of Upcountry Maui were degraded to D3. D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas of Molokaʻi and Maui, 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 leeward/northern Oʻahu. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered most of the remainder of the state not under D1-3. Added an area along the windward coast of Maui. None: Small area of northeast Kauaʻi. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One category improvement over small portions of windward Maui and the Big Island. Elsewhere, no changes. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One to two-category degradation for portions of the Hilo and Puna districts of the Big Island, as well as the central valley of Maui and portions of Upcountry Maui. No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation October rainfall still largely below average state-wide, despite a better showing for Oʻahu and Big Island over September’s amounts. Kauaʻi and the Big Island were the top performers, thanks to a few significant rain events throughout the month. Interior and leeward Maui County still struggling for significant rainfall. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic 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 briefly upgraded to Stage 3 water shortage on 10/17/25, then stepped down to Stage 2 in late October and Stage 1 on 9/12/25. Molokaʻi reservoir levels lower than last year at this time. Continued water deliveries needed across the Big Island to catchment customers. 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. Fire Hazard Impacts Several brush fires in the Hāmākua district. Ka’ala Fire on north slopes of Mauna Kea with ongoing flare-ups underground in the eucalyptus and koa forest root systems (fire began in early September). Brush fire along Mana Road on the east slope of Mauna Kea began 11/7/25, 70% contained at 2127 acres burned as of 11/12/25. Other Impacts None. Mitigation Actions 10% water reduction/conservation recommendations for Hāmākua, South Kohala, and South Hilo districts of the Big Island. Mandatory Tier 3 conservation for Kapalua (West Maui) with non-potable water irrigation allowed. Mandatory non-essential water conservation advisory continues for Kaʻanapali, Maui through December 1. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts The 14-day streamflow levels were mostly near normal across the island chain due to a few periods of significant rainfall in November thus far. A few sites still below normal in interior Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, as well as the Hilo area of the Big Island. The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were much the same as the 14-day levels, with the majority of the state now near to slightly above normal. Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Drought is expected to improve or end over much of the rest of the state over the next 3 months. Probabilities favor above normal precipitation due to La Niña conditions predicted to continue through much of the northern hemisphere winter.