Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid April 11, 2025
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated May 16, 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. 

March provided a second consecutive month of below average rainfall.

U.S. Drought Monitor
For a second consecutive month, most of the main Hawaiian Islands had drier than normal conditions. Drought continued to increase in coverage and severity in many areas of the state.
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Developed over the lower leeward slopes of Kauaʻi.
D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward Kauaʻi and spread from West Maui eastward into the central valley. Also developed over leeward areas of Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, and the Big Island.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covered most areas of the state not under D0, D2, or D3. 
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered northeast Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, and the southwest flank of the Big Island.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: Lower leeward Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, and portions of windward Maui County and the Big Island.
Drought improved: None.
No Change: Most of Kauaʻi away from the lower leeward slopes, the windward slopes of the Waiʻanae and Koʻolau Ranges of Oʻahu, the west half of the Big Island, and most of Maui County.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened: Windward Big Island and Molokaʻi, and lower leeward Kauaʻi.
Drought improved: Northeast Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. 
No Change: Most of the state.

Precipitation
Most areas of the main Hawaiian Islands had below average rainfall in March. 
Second consecutive month with mostly below average totals across the state in what is usually a very rainy time of the year. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Record low streamflow levels in West Maui have resulted in a reduction in potable water production from both public and private providers.
Agricultural Impacts
Ranchers operating in the upper Hāmākua and lower Kaʻū slopes of the Big Island reported poor pasture conditions. Some of them are also supplementing feed and hauling water for their cattle. Similar impacts were reported in the Kaupō region of Maui.
Fire Hazard Impacts
None.
Other Impacts
None.
Mitigation Actions
None. 

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 14-day streamflow levels were below normal at most sites from Oʻahu to the Big Island. Streamflow levels at most of the Kauaʻi sites were normal.
The 28-day streamflow levels (not shown here) were near normal at most of the sites from Kauaʻi to Molokaʻi. All of the Maui and Big Island sites had below normal streamflow levels.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
As the Hawaiian Islands wet season ends, most of the existing drought is expected to persist and possibly intensify into the May through September dry season.
Windward areas of the Big Island may see drought relief as seasonally more persistent trade winds take hold and produce more frequent rainfall.