Hawaii is facing a week of extreme weather and natural phenomena as a powerful Kona storm brings intense rainfall, damaging winds, and flash flooding across the islands, prompting Governor Josh Green to issue an emergency proclamation.

The state's emergency declaration, announced Monday by Governor Green, aims to free up additional resources for communities bracing for the severe weather. Green, in a social media video, cautioned residents about a "rough and tumble week," urging them to prioritize safety, especially on the roads.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has characterized the system as a "large and powerful kona storm," forecasting heavy rainfall that could lead to significant flooding in urban centres and smaller islands. Forecasters also predict severe thunderstorms and gusty winds will sweep across the archipelago. The initial impact was felt on Kauai, Niihau, and Oahu on Tuesday, with the storm expected to expand its reach to other islands in the days that followed. The governor's office warned that conditions could become even more damaging later in the week.

Intensifying Conditions and Widespread Flooding

As the week progressed, the storm intensified, delivering on forecasts of widespread and life-threatening conditions. AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny noted that periods of rain and thunderstorms would continue across the region into the weekend, with some storms capable of producing intense downpours. These heavy rainfall rates, at times reaching one to two inches per hour, were already reported on Oahu by Wednesday, causing minor flooding on roads and in streams. The entire island of Oahu remains under a flood watch through Saturday.

By Friday morning, after 72 hours of persistent rain, some areas had already recorded more than a foot of precipitation. Mount Waialeale on Kauai, for example, received an astonishing 13.13 inches.

Mastheads

Glenny emphasized that this "deluge of heavy rain will persist for most of the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday, exacerbating any ongoing localized flooding." This prolonged downpour significantly increases the risk of life-threatening flash flooding, mudslides, and other debris flows across the saturated landscape.

Beyond the rain, gusty winds have been a major concern. These blustery conditions developed late Thursday night over the westernmost islands and spread to the Big Island by Friday evening. Winds are expected to persist through Saturday, with gusts ranging from 50 to 80 mph. The highest peaks could experience even more extreme conditions, with gusts potentially exceeding 100 mph. Colder air wrapping into the storm has also brought winter conditions to the highest elevations, prompting the NWS office in Honolulu to issue a winter storm warning for the Big Island summits through Saturday afternoon. Forecasters anticipate one to two feet of snow on the summits, accompanied by blowing snow and periods of dangerous whiteout conditions. Images from Friday morning showed NASA telescope facilities on Mauna Kea already coated in snow and ice.

Volcanic Activity Adds Complexity

But there's more: Kilauea erupted on Tuesday, right in the middle of all this. The eruption, the 43rd episode since December 2024, saw lava fountains shooting as high as 300 metres (1,000 feet) into the air from within Kilauea’s summit crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The lava stayed in the crater, so no homes were threatened, but it's still causing headaches for nearby communities and Highway 11.

The real problem is the volcanic ash and rock fragments—tephra—raining down on communities. Tephra fell on Highway 11 and nearby communities, forcing the park to close temporarily and shutting down parts of the highway on both sides. Hawaii County officials have responded by opening a shelter at a district gymnasium to assist residents and tourists affected by the road closures or falling tephra, and the NWS issued an ashfall warning. Officials warn: tephra irritates eyes, skin, and lungs, and it clogs the water catchment systems many islanders rely on.

Preparedness and Shifting Threats

State authorities responded by taking action on both fronts. Parks and trails shut down, and officials told people to stay away from forests and beaches. The risks: storm surge, high waves, flash-flooding streams, and trees coming down. Governor Green reiterated that "our priority is keeping the people of Hawaii safe."

A flood watch is in place through Saturday, and the NWS wants residents ready. That means knowing where to go, where shelters are, and having a plan for pets and elderly relatives. Meteorologist Laura Farris with the NWS suggested some areas could see more than 20 inches of rain, though she noted it was a "ballpark estimate."

The First Alert Weather Team for Hawaii has declared multiple "FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS," emphasizing the storm's extended period of flash flooding, damaging winds, and strong thunderstorms. Flooding should ease on Kauai and Oahu by Sunday, but the ground's so waterlogged that even a little more rain could trigger flash floods again. Maui County and Hawaii Island face more flash flooding and gusty winds Sunday, possibly into Monday on the Kona side, where forecasts suggest heavier rain.

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The main rainband is expected to remain nearly stationary over Maui County and Hawaii Island through Saturday afternoon and evening, exacerbating the flooding risk in those areas.

This article was created with AI assistance.