HECO 2 p.m. update: 113,800 without power on Oʻahu, 15,600 without power on Maui

Hawaiian Electric urges customers in Hawaiʻi Kai and portions of East Honolulu to prepare for the possibility for extended outages that may last overnight or longer. As of 2 p.m., about 113,800 customers are without power across O‘ahu and 15,600 customers in parts of Maui County.

ʻĀina Momona seeks ocean users for Kiaʻi o ke Kai focus groups

Organizers with ʻĀina Momona are seeking ocean users and stewards for a series of online focus groups starting March 24 to help shape a community-based framework for Hawaiʻi ocean projects. The “talk story” sessions aim to center the voices of those who live and work in relationship with the sea as decisions regarding ocean research.

County of Maui kona storm updates

A large, prolonged kona storm continues to bring periods of heavy rain and flash flooding to Maui County and the rest of the state. Here is the latest County of Maui recap.

Shelters:

Four shelters – Maui County Kaunakakai Gym on Molokaʻi, Lahaina Civic Center in West Maui, South Maui Community Park Gym and Maui High School Gym in Kahului – remain open as of noon today, Friday, March 13. County of Maui Maui Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross opened the shelters. National Weather Service in Honolulu is predicting the storm will intensify today through Sunday.

Road advisories:

MEMA is asking residents and visitors to stay off roadways unless travel is essential during the severe weather event to allow for emergency access and minimize safety concerns. Haleakalā National Park’s summit and Kīpahulu districts are closed, according to the National Park Service. Travel on Hāna Highway in East Maui is limited to local traffic only. Treat any traffic light that is out or malfunctioning as a four-way stop.

Road closures:

There are several road closures in place due to fallen trees and flooding. For updates on County of Maui road closures, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/roadclosures or download the Genasys Protect app at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

County office closures:

All County of Maui offices countywide are closed today due to severe weather conditions and to minimize roadway traffic. Only essential workers will report to work. 

County parks, facility and service closures

• Parks and recreation facilities and locations: As of noon today, March 13, all Maui County parks and pools, including Waiehu Municipal Golf Course and Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens, remain closed until further notice due to severe weather conditions. 

• Senior services: Kaunoa Senior Services suspended services countywide today due to severe weather conditions. Services are expected to resume on Monday, March 16. For assistance, call Kaunoa staff at Spreckelsville campus at 808-270-7308, option 3. Meals on Wheels have been delivered in advance and will not be delivered on March 13.

• Transportation: The Molokaʻi East End bus route was canceled Thursday, March 12, and remains suspended due to unsafe road conditions. The County Department of Transportation, in partnership with Maui Economic Opportunity Transportation, is allowing same-day reservations today for eligible paratransit riders to get to shelters at the South Maui Community Park Gym in Kīhei, Lahaina Civic Center or Maui High School Gym in Kahului. For more information or reservations, call MEO Transportation at 808-877-7651.

• Landfills and recycling centers: Molokaʻi (including recycling, metals collection and green waste areas) and Lānaʻi landfills were closed at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday due to unsafe operational conditions caused by heavy rain and remain closed today. Recycling centers located in Haʻikū, Makawao, Kīhei and Molokaʻi were closed Thursday due to safety concerns over weather conditions and remain closed. Landfills and recycling centers will reopen when sites are deemed safe. Trash pickups are still being conducted; however, schedule changes may occur if weather conditions deteriorate.

Storm update:

A large, prolonged kona storm is bringing periods of heavy rain and flash flooding to Maui County and the rest of the state. The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Flood Watch for Maui County from Wednesday morning through Sunday afternoon, March 15. A High Wind Watch for Maui County went into effect Thursday evening through Sunday morning, 3/15. Watches mean hazardous conditions are possible. Advisories mean hazardous conditions are occurring, imminent or likely. Warnings mean hazardous conditions are imminent or already happening.

County response:

Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation on March 10 that lets the County access State and Federal assistance and streamlines procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed. County Emergency Operations Center went into partial activation as of 6 a.m. Thursday, March 12.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency is working with local and State partners to continue assessing damage from the storm. Residents and businesses impacted by the storm may submit damage reports to MEMA online at https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/mauiHI/request.html. Damage reports after a severe weather event help assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources. 

House Judiciary Committee’s ‘Good Government’ bills cross over to the Senate

Ahead of the legislative crossover deadline, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives adopted a slate of “good government” measures advanced by the House Committee on Judiciary. The bills have now crossed over to the Senate for further consideration.

Downed trees on Haleakalā Crater Road, Olinda Road and Hāna Highway; flooding on Lower Kula Road and Piʻilani Highway

Haleakalā Crater Road is closed from Kekaulike Avenue due to multiple downed trees. There is closed to local traffic until further notice. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The MACC’s Starry Night Cinema – Friday March 13 postponed due to storm

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Starry Nigh Cinema that was scheduled for tonight, Friday, March 13, has been postponed due to the kona storm impact the islands.

Hawaiian Electric asks customers to remain prepared for extended outages

Customers across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island are asked to continue to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the powerful storm system is expected to make its way across the island chain throughout the weekend.

Price gouging reported on Kauaʻi during severe weather event

The County of Kauaʻi has received reports of price gouging as the island continues to deal with ongoing impacts of the prolonged kona storm.

Council Member Tom Cook’s Open House scheduled for today is canceled

Council Member Tom Cook’s Open House at the South Maui Residency Area Office scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026 has been canceled due to the approaching kona storm.

Volcano Watch: Kīlauea Episode 43 reaches new lava fountain height record, causes tephra fallout on nearby communities

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

Stabilization work begins at historic Baldwin Home in Lahaina

Crews have begun stabilization work on the historic Baldwin Home gutted in the Lahaina wildfire in August 2023. The work marks the first major physical step toward rebuilding the landmark since the disaster, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation announced this week.

Hawaiʻi’s economic outlook remains steady

Hawai‘i residents can expect a steady but slower economic climb this year as high construction demand and robust visitor spending help shield the islands from broader global headwinds.