Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid December 8, 2023
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated January 12, 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. 

U.S. Drought Monitor
A kona low in late November helped ease drought conditions in the state. 

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Eliminated
D2 (Severe Drought): Covers leeward portions of Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and the Big Island.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers most of the remaining areas.
More improvements may occur as vegetation regrowth continues in areas with sufficient rainfall.
If follow-up rainfall does not occur, full drought recovery is not likely from just the kona low.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Improved: Most areas of the state. North Kauaʻi was already out of drought prior to this week. 
Four week Drought Monitor Class Change (link above).
Drought improvement statewide.

Precipitation
Kauaʻi and Oʻahu had mostly near to above average rainfall in November. 
Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi had mostly near to above average rainfall.
East Maui had above average rainfall, but the rest of the island had mostly below average rainfall.
The north and east sides of the Big Island had mostly near to below average rainfall, and mainly above average totals on the west side.
Image Captions: November 2023 rainfall totals (in inches) from the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal. 

Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Agricultural Impacts
Pasture conditions have improved across the state. However, follow-up rainfall is needed in the areas with the worst drought impacts, such as leeward Maui, and on the Big Island along the leeward slopes of Mauna Kea and the lower slopes of the Kaʻū District. 

Mitigation Actions
Despite the recent improvement in drought conditions, state and county agencies are continuing mitigation and conservation outreach efforts in anticipation of the peak El Niño dry period (mid-December through February). 
The Maui County Department of Water Supply remains in a Stage 2 Water Shortage status for the Upcountry water service area on Maui. The declaration prohibits use of water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles, and other non-essential activities.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Most of the gages across the state indicated normal 14-day average flow levels.
Maui had the most gages with flow deficits and shows that the November kona low mainly boosted flow on the east end of the island.
The 28-day average flow levels had a similar number of sites in the normal range.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map valid December 6, 2023

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
The recent kona low provided short term relief from drought conditions.
The ongoing El Niño will likely result in below normal precipitation across the main Hawaiian Islands well into 2024.
Peak El Niño related dryness is expected from mid-December through February.
Previous strong El Niño events have resulted in less than 50 percent of average rainfall during the October through April Hawaiian Islands wet season.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released 08 31, 2023 valid for 09 YYYY