000 AXHW70 PHFO 091839 DGTHFO HIC001-003-007-009-102200- Drought Information Statement National Weather Service Honolulu HI 839 AM HST Thu Sep 9 2021 ...EXTREME DROUGHT CONTINUES IN MAUI COUNTY... .SYNOPSIS: Despite the passage of remnant moisture from ex-Tropical Cyclone Linda across the state, extreme drought, or the D3 category in the U.S. Drought Monitor map, remained in place in portions of Maui County. These conditions were in the central and leeward portions of Maui, and over Kahoolawe. Severe drought, or the D2 category, also persisted in leeward sections of Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai. On the Big Island, a large area of severe drought covered portions of the South Kohala, North Kona, and Hamakua Districts. A localized area of severe drought was also over and near South Point. Kauai County remains in the best shape drought-wise, with just a small area of moderate drought, or the D1 category, along the lower leeward slopes from Hanapepe to Waimea. An increase in trade wind rainfall over the past six weeks along with the passage of former Tropical Cyclone Linda's remnant moisture has helped remove dryness along the windward slopes from the Big Island to Oahu. As a result, windward areas of all four counties in the state are drought-free. The Kona slopes region on the Big Island, which has a summer wet season, has been able to avoid drought conditions over the past several months. .SUMMARY OF IMPACTS: Kauai County Periods of rainfall over the past month have allowed the island to maintain a stable drought status. Impacts remain confined mainly to non-irrigated pastures and rangelands along the lower leeward elevations from Hanapepe to Waimea. This is consistent with satellite-based vegetation health data. Oahu (City and County of Honolulu) An increase in rainfall along the slopes of the Koolau Range has improved stream flow levels. Ground observations and satellite- based data indicated that vegetation health has also improved. However, the leeward slopes of west Oahu remain very dry as shown by an August 24 brush fire in Waianae. Public water supplies have been sufficient so far as they are dependent on more resilient ground water sources. Maui County Pastures and general vegetation conditions remain very poor in portions of Maui County. A rancher operating in the Kaupo area recently reported cattle losses due to the drought. Farmers in the Kula, Omaopio, and Pulehu areas have been suffering major crop losses from axis deer encroachments due to poor forage conditions outside of farmlands. Earlier in the summer, ranchers in Kaupo and Kaonoulu reported having to reduce their herd sizes due to the lack of sufficient forage. Pastures on Molokai west of Kawela remain in very poor condition, and ranchers have been providing supplemental feed to support their herds. Hawaii County A rancher operating in the South Point area reported deteriorating pasture conditions. The portion of the South Kohala District burned by the record-breaking brush fire in late July and early August has not been able to recover due to the lack of rain. The lack of grasses in the area is resulting in substantial top soil erosion due to periodic strong winds. Satellite-based vegetation health data also showed deteriorating rangeland conditions in the Humuula Saddle region of the island. .DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS: On June 28, Hawaii County was declared to be a natural disaster area due to drought by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The declaration allows farm operators in the county to be eligible for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency. On July 2, the Maui County Department of Water Supply declared a Stage 1 Water Shortage for Upcountry Maui. The declaration prohibits consumers from using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles, and other nonessential activities. .LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK: The Long-Lead Hawaiian Islands Outlook issued on August 19, 2021 by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center showed probabilities tilted toward below normal rainfall into mid-fall 2021. Probabilities favor near normal temperatures into mid-fall, and are tilted toward above normal temperatures late in 2021 and into early spring 2022. The next long-lead outlook will be issued by the Climate Prediction Center on September 16. With the exception of the Kona slopes of the Big Island, leeward areas of the state are expected to have a continuation of drought conditions into mid-fall 2021 due to the probabilities favoring below normal rainfall. Windward areas may have sufficient rainfall to mitigate the development of significant drought conditions. .NEXT ISSUANCE DATE: The next Drought Information Statement will be issued on October 14, 2021 or sooner if necessary in response to significant changes in conditions. .RELATED WEB SITES: Additional information on current drought conditions may be found at the following web addresses: U.S. Drought Monitor: droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Hawaii Drought Monitor: dlnr.hawaii.gov/drought USGS Hawaii - Recent Conditions: hi.water.usgs.gov/recent/index.html Climate Prediction Center long-lead Hawaii outlook: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/fxhw40.html Hawaii Drought Impact Reporter: hawaii.droughtreporter.unl.edu/ .ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Information for this product was compiled from a number of sources including the county boards and departments of water supply, U.S. and State of Hawaii agriculture agencies, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the media. .CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have questions or comments about this drought information statement, please contact: Kevin Kodama National Weather Service 2525 Correa Rd. Suite 250 Honolulu HI 96822 Phone: 808-973-5276 Email: Kevin.kodama@noaa.gov $$