Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid August 16, 2024
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated September 13, 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. 

Extreme drought develops on Maui and the Big Island.

U.S. Drought Monitor
July was dry over most areas of the state. Drought areas expanded and intensified in the four main counties. 
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Developed over leeward Haleakalā on Maui and the slopes of Mauna Kea.
D2 (Severe Drought): Developed over leeward Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi. Continued over leeward West Maui, Kahoʻolawe, and the lower Kaʻū District on the Big Island.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covered most of leeward Kauaʻi, and large portions Oʻahu, Maui County, and the Big Island.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covered north Kauaʻi, windward Maui County, and the Kona slopes of the Big Island.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: Windward and interior portions of the Big Island. 
No Change: Rest of the state.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened: 1- to 3-category worsening on the Big Island, 1- to 2-category worsening on Maui and Kauaʻi, and 1-category worsening on Oʻahu and the rest of Maui County. 
No Change: Portions of the lower Puna District and the leeward slopes of the Big Island, and some areas of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.

Precipitation
On the Big Island, the windward Kohala slopes and  lower Hāmākua District had near to above average July rainfall.
In Maui County, the windward slopes of the West Maui Mountains and Haleakalā had near to above average rainfall.
Most areas of the remaining areas across the state had below average rainfall for July.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflow levels have dropped below normal at many locations across the state, especially in the last two weeks (USGS).
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 on the Big Island have rapidly deteriorated over the past month. A flower grower in the Puna District also reported having to start irrigating due to insufficient rainfall.  (reports via email from producers)
Fire Hazard Impacts
Over the past month, dry fuels combined with the seasonally warmer temperatures have resulted in brush fire ignitions in all four of the main counties in the state.
Other Impacts
Water haulers have been busy providing water to  customers with insufficient catchment supplies on the windward side of the Big Island (Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald).
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
Streamflow levels have dropped below normal at many locations across the state, especially in the last two weeks. 
The 28-day flow levels have dropped into the below normal range at most of the gages 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 into fall 2024. This will likely result in the persistence or intensification of drought, especially in the leeward areas of the state.