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NEWS RELEASE: State Provides Updates For Kona Low 2 Event

March 22, 2026
Categories: 
2026, News Release

STATE OF HAWAIʻI 

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

JOSH GREEN, M.D. 

GOVERNOR 

KE KIAʻĀINA 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

KA ʻOIHANA PILI KAUA 

HAWAI‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 

KE‘ENA HO‘OMALU PŌULIA O HAWAI‘I

HAWAIʻI MARCH 2026 JOINT INFORMATION CENTER 

State Provides Updates For Kona Low 2 Event 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             

March 22, 2026 

KONALOW2-JIC-2026-005

HONOLULU – The State of Hawaiʻi departments and federal partners have been actively working throughout the second Kona Low weather event that hit Hawaiʻi, to assist with damage assessments and cleanup on O‘ahu and impacts to Maui County and Hawai‘i island.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) UPDATES

Yesterday, March 21, Lahaina Waste Water Treatment Plant reported overflows due to stormwater inundation.  As of Sunday morning, the overflows had stopped, according to Maui County DEM Director Shayne Agawa. 

  • Hospital Resources – Statewide hospital bed capacity within normal levels. DOH is monitoring hospital capacity in coordination with Hawaiʻi Healthcare Emergency Management (HHEM) and the Healthcare Coalition.
    • Oʻahu Hospitals – On Monday, March 23, Queen’s Medical Center – Manamana/Punchbowl is coordinating with Honolulu EMS and HHEM to transport 18 patients back to Kahi Mohala. No operational constraints reported for Oʻahu hospitals at this time.  
    • Maui Hospitals – Kula Hospital is relocating patients to alternate locations, and the Emergency Department remains closed.
    • Kauaʻi Hospitals – enhanced steady state, no reported operational constraints.
    • Hawaiʻi Island Hospitals – enhanced steady state, no reported operational constraints.
  • Air Medical Resources –Remain in enhanced operational status. DOH continues statewide heightened monitoring. Zero critical waiting transport.
  • 911 Ground EMS Resources –DOH continues heightened monitoring of statewide EMS operational status. EMS on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, Lānaʻi Islands returned to normal operations.
    • Maui EMS at enhanced steady state and fully staffed. Molokaʻi waiting to rotate EMS staff (weather delays), Maui Medic 11 (Kula station) with reported water damage-currently evaluating need to relocate.
  • Public Health – DOH continues heightened routine monitoring related to potential emerging health concerns. 
  • Environmental Health
    • Yesterday, March 21, Lahaina Waste Water Treatment Plant reported overflows due to stormwater inundation. As of 11:25 p.m. last night, it was still ongoing. 
    • There have been reports of wastewater overflows for manholes at various areas in the Kāneʻohe-Kailua area.
    • Island-wide brown water advisories are still in effect for Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Kona.


NOTE:  A Boil Water Notice Remains in Effect from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS)


Due to potential damage to the water system caused by the storm, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is reminding all water users on the North Shore from Mokulēʻia to Turtle Bay to boil any water pulled from the tap prior to consumption as a precaution. This boil water notice is in effect until further notice. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for three minutes. The BWS will announce when it is no longer necessary to boil the water.

Water tankers have been positioned at:

  • Waialua Community Association at 66-434 Kamehameha Hwy.
  • Banzai Skate Park at 59-460 Kamehameha Hwy.
  • Waialua District Park Recreation Center at 67-180 Goodale Ave.

For more information, please visit boardofwatersupply.com/storm, call 808-748-5041, or email [email protected].


DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DLNR) UPDATES

Dam Safety

No change from March 21, 2026

  • Dam Safety team is continuing follow-up actions with dam owners to ensure safe operations of their facilities including coordinating any repairs and making modifications to their response plans. 
  • Dam Safety Program will be working on further development of real-time monitoring capabilities.


Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR)

No change from March 21, 2026

  • DOBOR staffers are continuing to monitor the debris coming down the Ala Wai Canal. The maintenance team assessed the canal this morning report no major problems.
  • Will continue to monitor the debris trap at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal. Staff are on standby for any emergency developments.
  • Administrators are working to get a contractor with containers to remove all of the debris that has been stored on land from the last storm.
  • DOBOR continues to work with boat owners to remove grounded vessels in various places around the state. 
  • Out of an abundance of caution and public safety, DOBOR canceled all marine event permits that were originally approved for this weekend on Oʻahu.

Division of Conservation Resources Enforcement (DOCARE)

No change from March 21, 2026

  • Oʻahu-based DOCARE officers are demobilized from the Waialua rescue operation and are standing by for further assignment.  
  • DOCARE stands ready to assist the counties, if requested.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)

  • DOFAW’s Molokaʻi Base Yard heavily impacted by flooding:
    • Damage assessment and cleanup to commence Monday, March 23, 2026.
  • Mokulēʻia Access Road:
    • Culvert is washed out and is impassable.
    • There was a landslide just past the washout.
    • Past the campground there was a significant landslide.
    • The lower paved road is significantly damaged but passable.
    • DOFAW crew is mobilizing on Monday, March 23, 2026, to begin repairs.
  • Due to hazardous conditions, the public is strongly urged to avoid forested and coastal areas.
  • Anticipated impacts include rising stream levels, flash flooding, falling trees and branches, storm surge and high surf.
  • DOFAW recommends staying away from outdoor areas that may be exposed to hazards such as flooding, rockfalls, landslides and unstable vegetation.
  • Emergency response and rescue operations in these areas may be delayed due to dangerous conditions.

State Parks:

  • All state parks on Oʻahu are closed until Monday pending safety and damage assessments.
  • Crews are managing the cleanup of mud.
  • Tree contractors are still working on fallen tree removals from the first Kona Low storm (March 10-13, 2026).
  • Neighbor Islands: No reports of damage.

Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM):

  • CWRM has received multiple reports of excavators being used in stream channels doing unauthorized channel alterations, especially in Wailuku, Maui.
  • Such unpermitted work can threaten public safety by worsening flooding and diverting flood waters onto neighboring properties.
  • CWRM encourages government and civilians to report this activity if they see it.
  • Take photos, mark the address, or drop a pin on Google Maps the helps identify who performed the work.
  • CWRM staff will contact landowners and operators regarding the need to submit Emergency Authorization requests.
  • For more information, see: dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/03/20/nr26-29

 
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DLE) UPDATES

  • DLE drones and DLE drone pilots assisted to identify search and rescue operations and assisted in identifying storm-damaged property, structures and flooded areas/roads.
  • DLE sheriff patrols supported HPD in efforts to evacuate Waialua communities.
  • DLE sheriffs assisted in providing security for storm shelters and helping with the arrival of evacuees.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) UPDATES

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation started work before the arrival of the first Kona Low system, clearing drainage culverts, trimming trees near power lines and along highways. As the storm hit the islands, crews, including HDOT contractors across the state, continued working as long as conditions allowed for safety and will continue to affect repairs.

HDOT AIRPORTS

  • Kawaihāpai (Dillingham) Airfield – Closed to all except military and emergency operations through Tuesday, March 24.
  • Kapalua (JHM) – Commuter flights for today were reported canceled by carrier.
  • Lāna‘i (LNY) – Flights are delayed due to rain and heavy fog.
  • Molokaʻi (MKK) Backlog from earlier delays/cancellations, passengers are still waiting to depart when conditions allow.
  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) Several flight diversions reported.

HDOT HARBORS

While there have been some storm-related impacts at some of the harbors HDOT operates, none has affected operations. Harbors continue to run normally.

HDOT HIGHWAYS

Honolulu

  • H-1 westbound (Pali off-ramp and Punchbowl on-ramp) – Drain and culvert repairs from the March 13-15 storm event were completed on March 21. The ramps have been reopened.
  • H-1 westbound past Aʻala off-ramp (retaining wall) – A leaning retaining wall requires lane restrictions. Two right lanes are closed from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.
  • H-1 westbound near Liliha Street overpass – Repairs to the shotcrete slope are underway. The right lane is closed in this area.

Kailua / Windward Oʻahu

  • Kalanianaʻole/Pali corridor (between Kapa‘a Quarry Road and Castle Junction) Landslides occurred during the storm event. The left lane reopened in both directions at 11:40 a.m. on March 21. Right lanes in both directions remain closed due to continued slide risk.

Kāneʻohe

  • Kiona‘ole Road – A culvert washout and roadway undercut occurred during the March 13-15 storm event. A detour is available.

Wahiawā

  • Kamehameha Highway at Karsten Thot Bridge – The sidewalk on the north side of the bridge was washed out. The roadway remains open, but the sidewalk is closed.

Waiʻanae Coast

  • Farrington Highway at Kea‘au Homestead Road – Damage to a drainage culvert resulted in a washed-out makai lane. Single-lane access remains open.

North Shore (Waimea)

  • Kamehameha Highway at Waimea Bay – Slope stabilization work continues following the storm event. The roadway is fully closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and reduced to a single lane from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Maui County State Routes (as of March 22, noon)

  • Kula/Haleakalā corridor – Haleakalā Crater Road Route 378 (mile marker 2.5 to Haleakalā National Park) – A damaged culvert at mile marker 7 from the March 13-15 storm has been repaired. Repaving work is pending due to the weather. The roadway remains closed to nonessential traffic.

Molokaʻi (as of March 22, 12:15 p.m.)

  • Kamehameha V Highway (mile markers 0.5 to 10 and beyond) – Mud, debris, flooding and damage have made the roadway impassable between mile markers 0.5 and 12.5. Flooding and damage extend beyond mile marker 12.5, and crews are continuing to inspect the areas. There is a damaged culvert at mile marker 12.5, and at mile marker 7.5 there are major rock slides and debris. Crews continue monitoring the situation.

HDOT is in the process of arranging storm debris disposal sites in Waialua. Those who see issues on the state roadways may also call in to request repairs.


REPORT A HIGHWAY PROBLEM

  • O‘ahu – 808-831-6714; Email: [email protected]
  • Maui – 808-873-3535
  • Kaua‘i – 808-241-3000
  • Hawai‘i Island – 808-933-8866
  • Statewide after hours – 808-485-6200

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (HIDOE) UPDATES

The Department of Education is assessing damage statewide and plans to issue a list of official school closures this afternoon.

  • Most schools reopening
  • Closures as of 11 a.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026:
    • Oʻahu: Waialua High and Intermediate School, Waialua Elementary, Haleʻiwa Elementary.
    • Hawaiʻi Island: Konawaena High School, Konawaena Middle, Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikaimalino.
    • Moloka’i: All HIDOE schools.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI’I (UH) UPDATES

All University of Hawaiʻi campuses statewide will be open Monday, March 23, 2026. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor their hawaii.edu email and campus social media channels for campus-specific updates.


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS UPDATES

The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division encourages residents to understand their policy coverage in order to efficiently recover any losses as the second Kona Low weather event passes the state.

  • Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance and generally not required unless the property is in a designated high-risk flood zone.
  • A standard flood insurance policy normally helps cover physical damage caused by rising water, such as damage to the structure of the home (including foundation, walls, electrical and plumbing systems) and certain essential contents like appliances and personal belongings.

For those who have experienced flood damage but do not carry flood insurance, individuals may look to federal disaster assistance programs, if a disaster declaration is made, or explore available local relief resources. More information on flood insurance is available at floodsmart.gov.

If you do carry flood insurance and need to report damage to your home or vehicle, contact your insurance company or agent right away. Ask for your claim number and confirm any deadlines for filing or submitting documentation.

To help residents navigate the claims process, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has developed a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide and instructional video on how to file an insurance claim.

Consumers may also contact the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or visit http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins for additional claim-filing tips, disaster recovery resources and assistance with insurance-related concerns.

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM (DBEDT) UPDATES

  • Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) and its global marketing partners, including Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, have been sharing clear, consistent guidance with current visitors, those planning trips to Hawai‘i and the visitor industry in Hawai‘i and worldwide.
  • For visitors with upcoming trips, the message has been clear: there is no reason to cancel or postpone a visit to Hawai‘i. For visitors already in Hawai‘i, the guidance has been to stay vigilant, monitor conditions, check directly with airlines for flight updates, allow extra time at the airport, never drive through flowing or rising water and stay out of the ocean when water appears brown or murky.
  • Industry updates and visitor safety resources have been distributed regularly through HTA’s website and by email to more than 10,000 industry partners globally, including travel advisors, tour operators, airline partners, national travel media and MCI (meetings, conventions and incentives) groups.
  • Direct visitor messaging has gone out through GoHawai‘i social media channels, the GoHawai‘i website alert banner and landing page, the GoHawai‘i app through push and in-app alerts and the 1-800-GOHAWAII call center.

U.S. ARMY UPDATES

U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i and the 25th Infantry Division’s commitment as trusted partners with the State stand ready to provide an immediate response to save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate property damage.

Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the storms, and we remain prepared to support as requested by the State.

RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Residents needing storm recovery assistance can contact the Hawaiʻi Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or Aloha United Way by dialing 211 for help connecting to available programs and services.

The Hawaiʻi Foodbank coordinated a food distribution this morning at Mililani Park and Ride, 95-1101 Ukuwai St, and will continue distribution today from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ka‘ala Elementary School, 130 California Ave. A Hawaiʻi Foodbank Mobile Pantry On-The-Go began at 9:30 a.m. at Sunset Beach Christian Church and is traveling through Mokulēʻia, with a final stop expected about 1 p.m. at Waialua United Church. Times and specific stop locations are subject to change. Hui o Hauʻula is also distributing food today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hauʻula Civic Center, 54-010 Kakuna Road. Additional locations and times are available at hawaiifoodbank.org.

Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency has established a Kona Low resources page. This webpage will continue to be updated. For more information, visit ready.hawaii.gov/konalow.

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Media contact: 

Joint Information Center 

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, State of Hawaiʻi