Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid July 12, 2024
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated August 16, 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. 

Drought returns to Oʻahu and expands in Maui County.

U.S. Drought Monitor
June was generally dry over most areas of the state. Drought returned to leeward Oʻahu and the leeward areas of Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe in Maui County. 
Drought intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): Continued over leeward Haleakalā on Maui and the interior of the Big Island.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Present over leeward areas of Oʻahu and Maui County, and over the interior and lower Kaʻū District of the Big Island.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Expanded in June and covers most of the remaining areas of the state not already in D1 or D2.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: Leeward areas of Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe, and portions of east and central Big Island. 
No Change: Leeward areas of Kauaʻi, Maui County, and the Big Island, and the Koʻolau Range on Oʻahu.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened: Leeward areas of the state. 
No Change: Leeward east Maui and the interior of the Big Island.

Precipitation
Most areas of the state had below average rainfall for June.
On the Big Island, the windward Kohala slopes, lower Hāmākua District, and the Kona slopes south of Hualālai had near to above average June rainfall.
In Maui County, east Molokaʻi and the windward slopes of Haleakalā had near to above average 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 improved in May but deteriorating again (report via email from ranchers).
Fire Hazard Impacts
A brush fire ignited on July 10 over the leeward side of Haleakalā on Maui. The fire closed Crater Road and is ongoing as of today (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
Many of the gages on Kauaʻi, Maui County, and the Big Island recently dropped into below normal levels. Most of the Oʻahu streams remain at near normal levels. 
The 28-day flow levels were mostly in the normal range across the state.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map.

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 summer 2024. This may result in the development or persistence of drought, especially in the leeward areas of the state.