Hawaii
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Hawaii using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.
The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Hawaii.
- Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
- Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
- Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
- Concerns about fire danger increase
- More bugs observed than normal
- Pasture conditions are very dry/poor; cattle health is poor; protea, coffee bean, sugar cane crops struggle
- Fire danger is high
- Reservoir levels are low; springs are dried up; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
- Producers cull cattle, buy supplements and haul water for livestock
- Fires spread rapidly; outdoor burn bans are implemented
- Trees are dry and dropping leaves; feral donkeys move into populated areas
- Cattle die; cattle conception rates are reduced
- Specialty crops, orchards are dying
- Hunting areas and hiking trails may be closed due to increased fire danger
- Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
- Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
- Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
- Concerns about fire danger increase
- More bugs observed than normal
- Pasture conditions are very dry/poor; cattle health is poor; protea, coffee bean, sugar cane crops struggle
- Fire danger is high
- Reservoir levels are low; springs are dried up; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
- Producers cull cattle, buy supplements and haul water for livestock
- Fires spread rapidly; outdoor burn bans are implemented
- Trees are dry and dropping leaves; feral donkeys move into populated areas
- Cattle die; cattle conception rates are reduced
- Specialty crops, orchards are dying
- Hunting areas and hiking trails may be closed due to increased fire danger
- Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
- Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
- Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
- Concerns about fire danger increase
- More bugs observed than normal
- Pasture conditions are very dry/poor; cattle health is poor; protea, coffee bean, sugar cane crops struggle
- Fire danger is high
- Reservoir levels are low; springs are dried up; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
- Producers cull cattle, buy supplements and haul water for livestock
- Fires spread rapidly; outdoor burn bans are implemented
- Trees are dry and dropping leaves; feral donkeys move into populated areas
- Cattle die; cattle conception rates are reduced
- Specialty crops, orchards are dying
- Hunting areas and hiking trails may be closed due to increased fire danger
Explore Drought Conditions by City and County
View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.
Drought in Hawaii from 2000–Present
The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Hawaii lasted 388 weeks beginning on April 22, 2008, and ending on September 22, 2015. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of March 2, 2010, where D4 affected 6.46% of Hawaii land.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are currently in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.
Web Resources for Hawaii
National Weather Service Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) - Hawaii
National Weather Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)
Gridded Standardized Precipitation Index, 1920-2012
Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) Station Data
NPS Weather and Climate Monitoring Stations
- NPS Pacific Island Inventory & Monitoring Network: Interactive Map
- WRCC Hawaii Monitoring Station Map and Kalaupapa National Historical Park Monitoring Station Map
USGS Station Data
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)
Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.