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Hawaii Begins Reopening as Powerful Storm Brings Damaging Winds, Flooding and Summit Snow

Officials plan a phased reopening Tuesday following forecasts of improving conditions.

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A beach is empty in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 7, 2021, as powerful winter tropical storm known as a Kona Low hit the Hawaii islands with heavy rain and high winds causing wide spread flooding and power outages across the state. - Hawaii's Governor David Ige issued a state of emergency for all of the states islandson December 6. The National Weather Service reports the threat of catastrophic flooding as the storm system slowly moves from east to west. (Photo by Eugene Tanner / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE TANNER/AFP via Getty Images)
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Power restoration work after strong storm hit Hawaii on February 7 and 8, 2026. Credit: Hawaiian Electric

Overview

  • High wind warnings covered multiple islands through Monday with sustained 25 to 40 mph winds and gusts over 60 mph, with localized peaks near 70 to 73 mph recorded.
  • Gov. Josh Green closed schools, universities and state offices Monday under an emergency proclamation, with most facilities set to reopen Tuesday and some judiciary services limited after tree damage.
  • Hawaiian Electric reported restoring service to more than 27,300 customers since Monday night and over 114,000 since Feb. 7, with roughly 900 customers still without power late Monday across Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island.
  • Extreme rainfall totals reached about 16 inches in 24 hours and over 30 inches in 72 hours in parts of the Big Island, causing flash flooding and a landslide that blocked both lanes of Maui’s Hāna Highway.
  • A high surf warning called for dangerous 10 to 15 foot breakers on east-facing shores through Tuesday morning, while winter storm warnings for Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa forecast 10 to 16 inches of snow and periods of near-zero visibility.