Drought — South Hawaii Including Kau, Hawaii

2000-07-01 to 2000-07-31 · South Hawaii Including Kau, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

Meteorologically speaking, the highlight of the month was the passage of Tropical Storm Daniel to the north of the Big Island on 31 July. In terms of hydrology, Daniel was largely a non-event. Isolated thunderstorms flared up over the Big Island in association with one of the trailing rain bands and dropped 1 to 3 inches of rain in a couple of areas. Otherwise, statewide rainfall totals attributed to Daniel's circulation were mainly less than 0.25 of an inch, with a few spots between 0.25 and 0.50.Other than Tropical Storm Daniel, the weather pattern during July was dominated by trade winds in the moderate to fresh range. Active shower bands embedded within the trades brought rainfall to the windward sides of the island chain on a daily basis. This helped push rainfall totals to near, to above, average levels at most of the windward gages. Upper level lows also moved near the state on 6 July, 10-12 July, and 25-27 July. These lows helped enhance the trade wind showers and the afternoon convection over the leeward areas of the Big Island and Maui.Island of KauaiAs was the case in June, the month of July saw near to above average rainfall at many locations on the island of Kauai. Daily totals were generally well distributed throughout the month, with amounts mostly less than 0.50 of an inch. However, totals for the year-to-date showed all sites remained below average.Island of OahuOahu received a better distribution of rainfall in July than during June. Out of the 27 available sites, 12 reported above average rainfall, while 6 others were in the 80 to 100 percent of average range. On the other hand, all gages on Oahu were still below average for the year-to-date. Windward gages were mostly in the 40 to 70 percent of average range, while leeward gages were within 20 to 40 percent of average.Maui CountyFor Upcountry Maui, the month of July did not bring a continuation of June's rainfall. The gage at Kula saw only 0.06 of an inch of rain (4 percent of average), while Pukalani saw 0.42 (52 percent of average). However, looking at the bigger picture, the year-to-date numbers improved a bit in July. Four sites had managed to rise above the 60 percent of average level, the highest being at Haiku (24.29 inches).Island of HawaiiA very rainy July pushed monthly totals over the windward areas of the Big Island well above average. However, rainfall totals were much lower elsewhere across the isle and were mainly in the 40 to 60 percent of average range. The gage at Kamakoa was a notable exception. After receiving 1.83 inches of rain in June (600 percent of average), this site did not record any rain in July.Data from windward locations of the Big Island showed that year-to-date totals pushed up into the 70 to 80 percent of average range. Leeward gages also improved, with many now being in the 30 to 50 percent of average range.The following list contains rainfall statistics for selected locations from around Hawaii. The first column is the observed rainfall for July. The second column is the 30-year average for that location, while the third column lists the percent of average for the month. The fourth and fifth columns are the year-to-date total and the percent of average, respectively. YTD Jul 00 Avg. %Avg. YTD %Avg.Kauai Kokee 2.69 2.90 93 25.25 47 Hanalei 10.59 8.60 123 43.89 63 Anahola 1.97 2.50 79 11.23 39 Lihue VS 2.70 5.40 50 13.94 34 Lihue Airport 1.51 2.10 72 9.63 40 Hanapepe 1.17 1.30 90 6.14 36Oahu Honolulu Airport 0.41 0.60 68 2.65 23 Manoa Lyon 16.81 13.20 127 80.31 91 Waimanalo 0.70 1.70 41 9.49 32 Waihee Pump 6.49 7.80 83 27.36 44 Kahuku 2.56 2.20 116 11.14 42 Waianae 0.16 0.30 53 0.91 8 Kunia 0.84 0.80 105 5.32 33Maui Kahului 0.80 0.40 200 3.60 28 Hana 6.27 5.60 112 M M Kihei 0.02 0.10 20 0.17 2 Lahainaluna 0.12 0.30 40 0.69 6 Wailuku 0.37 0.60 62 5.57 31 Kula 0.06 1.40 4 4.40 23 Ulupalakua 1.32 1.60 83 7.29 34Molokai Kaunakakai M 0.20 M M M Kamalo 1.39 1.30 107 M MLanai Lanai City 1.64 2.00 82 6.71 28Island of Hawaii Hilo Airport 13.16 9.70 136 56.16 75 Pahala 1.12 2.10 53 10.13 31 Honaunau 3.25 7.30 45 14.69 37 Kamuela (Upper) 4.04 4.40 92 28.96 80 Glenwood 20.84 9.90 211 78.85 79 Laupahoehoe 7.55 10.00 76 53.12 57 Kamakoa 0.00 0.80 0 2.41 22 Kapapala 1.94 3.10 63 8.97 24Hawaii's drought caused some $6.5 million in losses for the state's ranchers and dairy farmers last year, according to the state Department of Agriculture. This year the losses will rise to $9.1 million, estimated a state agricultural loan administrator.To help Hawaii's cattlemen and farmers, the state Board of Agriculture passed a resolution allowing for emergency loans of up to $250,000 at 3 percent interest to the islands' ranchers and dairy farmers whose efforts to secure loans through private lenders have been rejected.The board also received a briefing on the Hawaii Drought Plan, which is being put together at the state level to help the state improve preparation and response to drought. Federal help also could come with the plan. The state's effort will be sent to Congress as part of a larger proposal to set up financing for Western states to deal with droughts.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5155006. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.