Drought in Big Island North, Hawaii

Continued water deliveries were needed across the Big Island to catchment customers. Also poor range conditions across the Big Island persisted, with supplemental feeding required and water shortages, especially in Hamakua and Kau Districts. Ranchers weaned cattle early and destocked cows due to lack of available pasture feed, as well as moved cattle to the Kona District for better grazing conditions. Many reports cited not seeing conditions like this since around 2008. Several brush fires were reported in the Hamakua District. There were also ten percent water reduction/conservation recommendations for Hamakua, South Kohala, and South Hilo Districts of the Big Island.

Months of below average rainfall have led to continuing extreme drought conditions over portions of the Big Island. Particularly the upper Hamakua coast and southeast portions of the Big Island experienced the worst drought conditions.