Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid May 10, 2024
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated June 21, 2024 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. 

Severe drought continues over portions of the Big Island and Maui.

U.S. Drought Monitor
Above average April rainfall removed drought over Kauaʻi and Oahu. Leeward areas on Maui and the Big Island remained dry.
Drought intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): Continued over leeward east Maui, the northwestern portion of the Big Island, and the lower elevations of the Big Island’s southeastern flank.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Present over southeast Maui and the southeast flank of the Big Island.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Remains over leeward Molokaʻi, leeward West Maui, and portions of the Big Island.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought Improved: West Maui and Lānaʻi.
No Change: Leeward portions of east Maui, Molokaʻi, and the Big Island.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Improved: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and portions of Maui County. 
No Change: Leeward east Maui and the Big Island.

Precipitation
Kauaʻi had very wet conditions in April with some locations receiving record rainfall.
Windward (east-facing) areas of the rest of the state had near to above average rainfall.
Most leeward areas in Maui County and the Big Island had below average April rainfall.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
There are no known impacts at this time
Agricultural Impacts
Pastures over the leeward slopes of Maui were in very poor condition (USDA/FSA).
Pastures over the lower elevations of the Kaʻū District of the Big Island were in poor condition (report via email from ranchers).
Fire Hazard Impacts
Several brush fires have occurred on fallow agricultural lands over the past couple of weeks (Maui Now).
Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time
Mitigation Actions
A Stage 1 Water Shortage for the Upcountry water service area on Maui remains in effect. The Stage 1 Water Shortage puts restrictions on the use of water for certain activities such as irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles, and other non-essential activities. (Maui County Dept. of Water Supply)

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Most of the gages across the state indicated normal to above normal 14-day flow levels. 
The 28-day flow levels were mostly in the normal range from Oʻahu to the Big Island. Most of the Kauaʻi gages were in the “much above normal” range.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map valid May 9, 2024.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Climate models favor below normal precipitation across the main Hawaiian Islands through the end of spring and into early summer 2024. This may result in the development or persistence of drought in some areas, especially in the east half of the state.
Wet April conditions on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu should help delay the onset of drought conditions on these islands until later in the summer.