Lightning in Honolulu County, Hawaii

Lightning May 15, 2026 · Honolulu County, Hawaii

$1.0M

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

A strong thunderstorm brought frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes across Oahu. Some of the lightning struck utility poles which led to power outages for about 35000 customers. The outage areas included, but were not limited to, Makaha, Aiea, Ewa, Kapolei, Makakilo, Mililani, Pearl City, Waikele, Waimalu and Waipahu. According to HECO, a lightning strike ignited a fire in the switchyard at Kahe Power Plant shortly after 3 p.m., which damaged equipment. Flights at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport were also delayed due to the lightning.

The wider storm

A cold upper level low approached the Hawaiian islands and led to thunderstorms and flooding.

Began near Kawela Bay (21.6849, -157.9944).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1324501. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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