Overview
- A new kona low is forming west of the islands and is forecast to bring periods of heavy rain from March 19 through the weekend, with forecasters cautioning the system may be weaker but still hazardous.
- The National Weather Service expects the greatest risk on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, noting impacts will depend on where rain bands set up over already elevated streams.
- The previous storm dropped up to about 46 inches of rain on parts of Maui and broke daily rainfall records at Honolulu and Kahului, driving widespread flooding, landslides and sinkholes.
- Winds gusted as high as 135 mph in one Big Island location and topped 100 mph in parts of Maui, contributing to damage as winter conditions also developed on Mauna Kea’s summit.
- Hawaiian Electric reported about 121,020 customers without power at the peak and thousands still out on March 18, with officials keeping shelters open, maintaining brown‑water advisories and collecting damage reports as travel and road disruptions continue to be resolved.