HONOLULU: Hawaii authorities moved into storm preparations on Monday after Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency and the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for parts of the island chain ahead of a powerful Kona storm expected to bring heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms and damaging winds this week. The emergency proclamation covers the entire state and is intended to speed coordination across agencies as conditions begin to deteriorate from west to east.
The National Weather Service said the first impacts were expected to reach Niihau and Kauai on Tuesday, then spread to Oahu by Tuesday evening and Maui County on Wednesday. Forecasters said the Kona low developing northwest of the state is drawing deep tropical moisture over the islands, raising the risk of intense rainfall rates, rapid rises in streams and flooding in roads and other low-lying areas as the system strengthens.
State officials said the emergency declaration gives agencies broader authority to position resources and support county-level response efforts before the heaviest weather arrives. The proclamation also authorizes activation of Hawaii National Guard units if needed to assist civilian authorities, directs state agencies to provide personnel and materials for emergency operations, and activates the state’s Major Disaster Fund as Hawaii prepares for several days of hazardous weather.
Flood watch expands across islands
The flood watch now in effect covers Kauai County, Oahu and Maui County, with the National Weather Service warning that flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible through Saturday afternoon in those areas. Forecast products said persistent bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger rapid runoff, stream overflows and localized landslides, especially in places with steep terrain, while some roads could become impassable as water rises.
Forecasters also warned that the storm’s threat is not limited to rainfall. The Honolulu forecast office said strong to severe thunderstorms may develop from Wednesday into the weekend, with damaging winds expected to be the main hazard. Meteorologists also said strong Kona winds could build later in the week, and they noted that severe storms may bring additional risks as unstable air and tropical moisture move across the state from the western islands toward the Big Island.
Emergency agencies shift into readiness mode
The governor’s office said the declaration is aimed at protecting public health and safety while helping the state and counties clear debris, secure infrastructure and prepare for possible disruptions. Emergency managers have urged residents to monitor official forecasts and warnings as conditions change. Weather service statements said the threat window runs from Tuesday through at least Saturday, with the Big Island expected to see the brunt of the system later than the smaller islands.
The developing storm arrives as Hawaii faces the prospect of a prolonged stretch of unsettled weather rather than a short-lived burst of rain, increasing pressure on drainage systems and transportation routes in flood-prone areas. Officials have not released damage estimates because the event is still approaching, but the state’s emergency posture reflects the broad scope of the expected impacts across multiple islands and the likelihood of fast-changing conditions over several days. – By Content Syndication Services.