March has historically been one of the wettest months on Hawaii Island, particularly for the windward side. However, this year told a different story, with rainfall totals significantly below expectations across most of the Big Island.
Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Honolulu, confirmed that nearly all official rain gauges recorded below-average rainfall for March. Waiki’i was one of the few exceptions, receiving 3.64 inches, or 107% of its usual total for the month. Waiaha, located in the Kona coffee belt, registered 3.98 inches, which is 103% of its norm. Ahumoa, in the saddle area near Waiki’i, recorded 2.54 inches, which is still only 91% of its March average.
According to the weather service’s online Drought Monitor, dry conditions have predominantly persisted across the main Hawaiian Islands following a period of rain late in January. This shift has led to an increase in drought conditions throughout the state.
Currently, most areas on Hawaii Island—including Hilo, Puna, Hamakua, and the majority of North and South Kohala—are experiencing moderate drought conditions. In contrast, some smaller regions—specifically parts of the North Kohala coastline, along the upper Saddle area, and the Ka‘u coast—are facing extreme drought conditions. The coastal regions of North and South Kona are somewhat less affected, categorized as “abnormally dry.”
“It’s been a weird wet season for sure,” said Kodama. He noted that the forecast models had anticipated wetter conditions but failed to predict the actual lack of rainfall. “They’ve been really insistent upon projecting wetter than normal conditions,” he explained. “And it’s just been anything but.”
On the windward side, Hilo International Airport recorded just 7.54 inches of rainfall, equating to 59% of its normal total for March. Mountain View reported 12.48 inches, or 69% of average, while Glenwood saw a significant shortfall with only 15.86 inches—nearly 10 inches less than what is typically expected in March.
As Hawaii Island approaches its dry season, set to commence in May—except for the Kona slopes, which see summer as their wet season—Kodama described March’s rainfall as “really inconsistent.” Despite some windward areas receiving double-digit rainfall figures, the overall totals are still far from what residents would typically anticipate. Kodama expressed concern about the potential long-term effects of the unusual weather patterns. “Kona side will be getting into their rainy season, and that’ll help them, but areas outside of there are not looking real good,” he remarked.
While Waiaha met its March rainfall average, the remaining three official Kona coffee belt gauges reported notably lower figures. Honaunau, the wettest of them, received only 2.15 inches—just 53% of its average. Kainaliu and Kealakekua experienced even drier conditions with 1.21 and 1.62 inches, respectively, well below half of their March averages.
“I’ve been getting reports from ranchers up in Hamakua and down by South Point,” Kodama said. Many are facing dry pastures and below-normal stream flows, indicating the severity of the situation.
South Point recorded a mere 0.70 inches in March, representing just 20% of its normal total, while Kohala Ranch fared even worse, with only 0.47 inches, or 46% of its average. Even Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport in Keahole, often known for its dry conditions, recorded only 0.44 inches—45% of its expected March rainfall. Nearby areas, Kaupulehu and Kaloko-Honokohau, also reported low figures of 0.64 and 0.81 inches, respectively.
The challenging weather conditions have resulted in increased demand for water delivery throughout the island. Many residents relying on rain catchment systems are struggling to secure adequate water supplies. Beverly Medeiros of JB Water Hauling noted, “We already cannot keep up. Ocean View is dry beyond belief.” She explained that if she does not receive at least 20 calls from Ocean View by about 8 o’clock in the morning, she feels uncertain about the situation.
Medeiros stated her company is operating at full capacity, and despite having purchased new trucks to enhance their service, they are currently waiting for them to arrive from California. She has advocated for the county to open hydrants in more locations to streamline operations and reduce delivery costs, but her requests have yet to yield results. “I’m still islandwide, but there’s still an issue with access to the water,” she said, mentioning that delivery costs can be as high as $500 to $600, which is unaffordable for many residents.
Kodama emphasized that there is little relief expected soon. “Hopefully, things will get better as more persistent trade winds, more normal trade winds come in, and then we’ll get rainfall on the windward side,” he stated. However, he cautioned that the prognosis for the leeward areas outside of Kona—like South Kohala and the Ka‘u district—looking toward the dry season, is becoming increasingly bleak.
For further updates and information on this developing situation, please contact John Burnett at [email protected].
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