Due to the severity of the drought in some areas of the state, additional significant rain events will be needed for full drought recovery, which is not likely within the winter months due to the ongoing strong El Niño event.
The Hāna Highway is closed between mile markers 40 and 41 in the area of Laulima Farms due to flooding. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation was headed out to Mile 21 of the Hāna Highway at around 9:12 a.m. to clear a reported mud/rock slide. Piʻilani Highway in East Maui is closed at mile markers 16, 28, miles 29 to 31 from Kaupō to Nuʻu, and at the bridge at mile 36 due to flooding.
ʻUlupalakua Ranch on Maui had its lowest May rainfall total since 2012 according to the latest Monthly Precipitation Summary from the National Weather Service.
The rain gauge at Puʻu Kukui got the county’s highest monthly total of 21.38 inches and the highest daily total of 6.37 inches on April 2. The monthly total was 56% of average, according to State Senior Service Hydrologist Kevin Kodama with the National Weather Service’s Forecast Office Honolulu who compiled the report.
The USGS’ rain gage on top of Puʻu Kukui had the highest monthly total of 22.32 inches (58% of average), and the highest daily total of 7.90 inches on March 2, according to the summary report.