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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for 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.

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
  • Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
64.6
of HI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
  • Concerns about fire danger increase
  • Water levels decline; voluntary water restrictions are issued; reservoir levels are depleted in high elevations
0.0
of HI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
  • Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
90.5
of HI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
  • Concerns about fire danger increase
  • Water levels decline; voluntary water restrictions are issued; reservoir levels are depleted in high elevations
0.0
of HI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn quality declines; less water is available for irrigation
  • Hiking trails are noticeably dry with soil erosion
0.0
of HI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth is stunted; farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water for irrigation
  • Concerns about fire danger increase
  • Water levels decline; voluntary water restrictions are issued; reservoir levels are depleted in high elevations
0.0
of HI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • 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
0.0
of HI
(D4)
0
people in Hawaii are affected by drought
5
counties with USDA disaster designations

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

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.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

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 9, 2010, where D4 affected 6.59% of Hawaii land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to
Regional Drought Updates

Drought Resources for Hawai'i

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Dry Times Bi-Weekly Drought Newsletter
Issued every other Thursday, Dry Times is an email newsletter with the latest drought news, events, and data & maps.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? 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.