Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid January 10, 2025
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated February 14, 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. 

A dry December worsens drought across the state. 

U.S. Drought Monitor
Unusually dry December weather resulted in an increase in drought extent and intensity across the state. 
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Developed over leeward Oʻahu, and remains over leeward areas of Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Maui. 
D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward areas from Kauaʻi to Maui County, and developed over a portion of the leeward side of the Big Island. 
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers the remaining areas of the state not under D2 or D3. 
D0: (Abnormally Dry): None. All areas worse than D0.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: Lower elevations of east Kauaʻi and southeast Oʻahu, leeward Haleakalā on Maui, and all of the Big Island.
Drought improved: None. 
No Change: Most of Kauaʻi County, Oʻahu, and Maui County.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened: All of the Big Island and Oʻahu, most of Kauaʻi, and localized portions of Maui County.
Drought improved: None. 
No Change: Most of Maui County, and leeward areas of Kauaʻi County.

Precipitation
Most areas across the main Hawaiian Islands had below average rainfall in December. 
Many locations had totals below 50 percent of the long term December average. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
None.
Agricultural Impacts
A rancher operating in the leeward side of Haleakalā on Maui reported having to reduce his herd size by 50 percent. There is insufficient forage in his pastures. (via email)
The USDA on Kauaʻi reported that most of the ranchers on the island have been impacted by drought. Ranchers have been providing supplemental feed and have been hauling water for their cattle. (USDA-FSA via email)
Ranchers on the Big Island have been reporting worsening pasture conditions in the north, southeast, and south sides of the island. (via email)
Fire Hazard Impacts
Brush fires have occurred near Wainiha and Anahola over the past couple of weeks. The Anahola fire prompted evacuations of several homes as a precaution. (Kauaʻi EMA) 
Other Impacts
None.
Mitigation Actions
None. 

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 14-day streamflow levels were below normal at most sites in the state. 
The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were well below normal at most of the sites.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Despite recent dryness, climate models favor above normal precipitation across the main Hawaiian Islands into spring 2025.
Drought conditions are still expected to ease or end over the next several months.