Drought in Kauai Southwest, Hawaii

Reports from the USDA-FSA and the State Department of Agriculture stated that the agricultural impacts of the extreme (D3) drought conditions included very dry conditions over the rangelands of leeward Kauai through the month. The USDA on Kauai reported that most of the ranchers on the island have been impacted by drought. Ranchers have been providing supplemental feed and have been hauling water for their cattle.

Below average December rainfall totals at most locations across the main Hawaiian Islands exacerbated statewide drought conditions. Extreme drought (D3) developed over leeward Oahu and leeward Maui. D3 drought conditions remained over the leeward areas of Kauai and Molokai. Approximately 3% of the state was under D3 drought at the end of the month.