Flood-prone Kīhei Crossroads for sale as its popular businesses remain closed from latest storm

Due to the severe weather that continue to impact on Maui and Oʻahu, several public library locations are closed on Saturday, March 21, 2026. 

Maui Economic Opportunity on Moloka’i has canceled all bus rides today due to hazardous conditions from the Kona storm. MEO will announce when service resumes and apologizes for any inconvenience.

A kona low developing west of the islands will draw abundant moisture northward as it strengthens and eventually departs to north early next week. Several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are anticipated.

Coast Guard and Navy aircrews rescued seven people and one dog during flash floods on Oʻahu Friday. A larger rescue effort by multiple agencies resulted in the rescue of at least 196 people, according to an earlier report from the governor.

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is activating the Stronger Hawai‘i Fund, a dedicated fund designed to support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience. As communities across Hawai’i continue to feel the impacts of severe weather, HCF is activating the fund immediately to deploy resources where the need is greatest across our state.

The Maui County Council voted 8-0 Friday to confirm Jacky Takakura as planning director and 6-2 to appoint Margaret Willis as director of the Department of Human Concerns.

For the safety of customers and the public, Hawaiian Electric cannot re-energize electric circuits serving the North Shore of Oʻahu until after mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted. This means about 4,200 customers in the area will remain without power at least overnight.

Gov. Josh Green called the kona storm from last week and the additional kona storm this week, the largest flood that Hawaiʻi has seen in 20 years.

Once mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Hawaiian Electric will inspect its infrastructure to determine when it will be safe to restore power to customers affected by a proactive power shutoff due to catastrophic flooding. However, if the evacuation notice is lifted after dark, crews must wait for daylight to begin inspections.

As heavy rains and flooding continue to impact Hawaiʻi—with a second kona low event rolling across the islands while communities are still reeling from the first—The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is positioned to respond to the evolving on-the-ground needs.

Aloha United Way has distributed more than $760,000 to 45 community-based organizations during the first two months of 2026, supporting programs that address food security, housing, housing stability, workforce development and other essential needs.  

Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services transportation will limit its operations to dialysis and essential medical appointments for Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Central, West, South, and Upcountry Maui beginning Saturday, March 21.