Hawaii Storm 2026: Kona Low Batters Islands With Flash Flooding, 86,000 Still Without Power

Hawaii is in the grips of one of its most destructive storms in recent memory. A powerful Kona low weather system has been pounding the Hawaiian Islands since Tuesday, March 10, unleashing flash flooding, landslides, and catastrophic power outages from Oahu to Maui to the Big Island. As of Monday, March 16, tens of thousands of Hawaiian Electric customers remain without power and the threat of additional flooding is not over.

What Is a Kona Low and Why Is This Storm So Dangerous

Kona means "leeward" in the Hawaiian language. These storms buck the usual trends for Hawaii by moving from south to southwest instead of coming from the east or northeast. Because the leeward sides of the islands tend to be drier and see less rainfall, they are especially susceptible to floods, landslides and mudslides.

Though Kona lows can happen at this time of year, the current strength and length of impact is considered rare by the National Weather Service. Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation, warning that the Kona low was expected to produce prolonged heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding statewide, with the highest likelihood of flooding impacts across the smaller islands and urban areas.

HECO Power Outage — How Many Customers Are Still Without Electricity

Hawaiian Electric's outage map has been tracking a staggering toll since the storm first made landfall.

At the peak of the outage crisis, approximately 121,020 Hawaiian Electric customers across Oahu lost power on Friday, March 13. Two of the three transmission lines running along the base of the Ko'olau range near Waimanalo and crossing into East Honolulu were damaged, leaving Hawaii Kai and portions of East Honolulu at risk of extended outages lasting overnight or longer.

By Saturday, crews restored electricity to approximately 217,200 customers across Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County. However, about 86,000 customers remained without power, with restoration efforts slowed by flash flooding, fallen trees, and road closures, including one caused by a massive sinkhole in South Maui.

Oahu Power Outage — Transmission Line Damage and Helicopter Repairs

Repairing the storm-damaged high-voltage transmission lines that carry power from Leeward Oahu across the Ko'olau Range to Windward Oahu and East Honolulu could take anywhere from hours to days — or even longer — as repair crews navigate mountainous terrain.

Hawaiian Electric confirmed that a third transmission line atop the Ko'olau range had been out of service since a February 8 storm. A specialized heavy-lift Sikorsky helicopter, which must be brought in from the mainland, was unavailable ahead of the March storm warnings. This kind of repair work cannot be done by smaller helicopters available in Hawaii.

Maui Weather and Flooding — Record Rainfall and Road Closures

Rainfall totals have exceeded 2 feet in some areas, with the wettest spots on Maui recording over 23 inches in a single 24-hour period. The heavy rain has overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to pooling on roads and forcing evacuations in some communities.

Kamehameha V Highway near Kawela Gulch was rendered inaccessible due to a landslide on Maui. The Maui Bus ended service Friday evening due to safety issues including road closures and flooding. County garbage pickup was not expected to resume until Thursday, March 19.

Oahu Hawaii Flooding and Landslide Threat Continues

In Palolo on Oahu, residents heard rocks falling and witnessed a retaining wall collapse during the storm. The landslide landed on a neighboring property though no injuries were reported. Residents living nearby described the ongoing risk as deeply unsettling given the continued saturation of the hillsides.

Although weather is starting to improve on Oahu, the threat for landslides is expected to continue for several days. Forecasters warned that incoming showers next week will have significant impacts because everything is already saturated and softened.

School Closings and Hawaii Storm Recovery Updates

Officials across the islands urged residents to stay home and off the roads as the storm reached its peak. Honolulu officials monitored flood conditions and water levels across the island, and anyone seeking emergency shelter was urged to bring their own bedding, food and water, as space and services at shelters were limited.

Hawaiian Electric customers can view current outages and report new outages on the HECO outage map at hawaiianelectric.com or on the company's mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Residents dependent on life support or emergency medical equipment are urged to make alternate power arrangements immediately. The storm is forecast to begin lifting northward but showers and landslide risks are expected to persist across Hawaii through the coming week.