Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands Valid December 11, 2025 Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated January 8, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Over the past month, drought mainly persisted over most of the island chain, with some worsening drought over the western half of the state and continued below average rainfall for most locations. 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): Remains over areas of the Hāmākua and southern Kaʻu districts of the Big Island, as well as the central valley and portions of Upcountry Maui. D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas of Molokaʻi and Maui, the leeward coasts of Oʻahu, and portions of the Kohala, Hāmākua, and Kaʻu districts of the Big Island. D1 (Moderate Drought): Expanded to include the rest of Oʻahu not under D2 and most of Kauaʻi. Remains over most areas of Molokaʻi, Maui, and the Big Island not under D0, D2, or D3. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered Niʻihau, a small portion of northeast Kauaʻi, and the Kona district of the Big Island. None: none. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Status quo over the past week. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. One class degradation for a large part of Kauai and Oahu, as well as smaller portions of the remaining islands. One class improvement over small portions of the north Maui coast, as well as coastal Hilo and Hāmākua districts of the Big Island. No Change: Rest of the state. Precipitation November rainfall still largely below average state-wide, aside from north-central Kauaʻi, higher elevations of Oʻahu, and a large portion of northern Big Island which were near to above normal for the month. Kauaʻi and the Big Island were the top performers, thanks to a couple of significant rain events throughout the first half of the month. Most leeward areas still struggling for significant rainfall. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stage 1 water shortage ended for South and Central Maui (previously in effect since September 2024 due to lack of surface water flow). West Maui continues Stage 2 water shortage since 9/4/25. Upcountry Maui remains at a Stage 1 water shortage as of 9/12/25. 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 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); 100% contained as of November 21, 2025. Brush fire along Mana Road on the east slope of Mauna Kea began 11/7/25, no longer actively burning or spreading as of late November, 90% contained at 2100 acres. Other Impacts None. Mitigation Actions Big Island: Water restriction notice for South Kohala-Lalamilo (25% reduction for regular water use, 50% irrigation use) and recommended 10% reduction for the rest of South Kohala. Requested 10% water use reduction for South Hilo district. Maui County: Mandatory Tier 3 conservation for Kapalua (West Maui) with non-potable water irrigation allowed. Mandatory non-essential water conservation advisory continues for Kaʻanapali, West Maui. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts The 14-day streamflow levels were back to below to much below normal across the island chain after a near normal late September/1st half of November A few sites near normal in the higher elevations of windward Oʻahu. The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were mixed. Eastern half of the state still near normal, likely due to mid-November rainfall Western half largely below to much below normal, aside from a few higher-elevation spots. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is still expected to improve or end over much of the state over the next 3 months. Probabilities continue to favor above normal precipitation due to La Niña conditions predicted to persist for the next few months.