Hawaii 24/7

Although Hawaii’s drought depiction was largely unchanged, there was some further deterioration (mainly, expansion of severe drought, or extreme drought) on the lower leeward slopes of the Kohala Mountains on the Big Island due to declining pasture conditions.

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared Hawaii and Maui Counties disaster areas due to the ongoing drought. Kalawao County was named a contiguous disaster county also eligible for federal assistance. This declaration makes farm operators facing extreme drought conditions eligible for low interest emergency loan assistance from […]

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui and Hawaii counties as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by an ongoing drought that, for purposes of this disaster designation, began January 9, 2012, and continues.

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 31 counties in Missouri as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The counties are Hawaii and Maui. “Our hearts go out to those Hawaii farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “President […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Summary of the dry season (May – Sept. 2012) * 2011-2012 La Nina event ended in April Statewide Summary * Many sites had below average rainfall totals, especially in the leeward areas. * Leeward drought redeveloped or worsened in all four counties. * Most windward rainfall totals were below average but adequate to […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U. S. Weather Service issued a red flag warning Tuesday, Sept. 4 for all Hawaiian islands. The warning is for high fire danger because of drought conditions, high temperatures, low humidity, and forecasted strong winds. The fire danger will be elevated for all islands, especially on the west side of the islands, […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Hawaii County and Honolulu County as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by an ongoing drought that, for purposes of this disaster designation, began Jan. 1, 2012, and continues. The designation makes all qualified farm operators on the islands of Hawaii and Oahu eligible […]

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This week was fairly dry island-wide until rains picked up in windward areas over the weekend with strengthening trade winds. The highest recorded 24- hour rainfall total was 1.90 inches on Sunday at the Kawainui Stream gage in the north Kamuela area. The light rains coupled with intermittent sun continued to encourage growth in windward […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County as a primary natural disaster area resulting from ongoing drought conditions. The governor last month applied for the designation, which clears the way for Hawaii Island farmers and ranchers to apply for available federal relief. Hawaii County was […]

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‘The best time to start protecting our mauka watersheds was decades ago. The second best time is now.’

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Some drought recovery expected on the Big Island and Maui County but full recovery may be elusive due to intensity and longevity of existing drought conditions.

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The Big Island’s conditions over the past week were similar to that of the week prior. Cloudy skies over the windward coast continued to drop heavy rains. Areas, which received three inches over the prior week, went on to receive over five inches this week. Leeward areas were also able to pick up slightly more […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Due to continued drought over the past year and extreme fire hazard conditions due to dryer than normal vegetation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife is extending the closure of Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Kaohe Game Management Area until Dec. 31. Closure authority is under Hawai‘i […]

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Leeward and the Ka`u District continue to suffer dry weather conditions. Leeward Kona showers resulted in slightly improved drought ratings in that area. Coffee harvest activities continued with no weather related delays island-wide. The Waimea Irrigation System water level was marked at 48 feet on Friday, October 7th; no change from the previous week’s reading. […]

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