Update: March 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) provided an update on Sunday evening stating that a flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island through Monday. The organization noted that, at high elevations on the Big Island of Hawaii, heavy snow and strong winds were also possible.
The HTA reiterated, however, that all airports remain open, although flight cancellations and delays continue to be a possibility. Passengers should check directly with their carriers regarding their flight status, opt in to SMS messages and app notifications, and arrive at the airport 3 hours before transpacific departures and 90 minutes before inter-island departures.
Original Text
An intense winter
storm system known as a “Kona low” — the second one within as many weeks —
continues to plague the islands of Hawaii
this weekend, bringing heavy rains and flooding to the popular spring break
hotspot. According to AP
News, Kona lows bring southerly or southwesterly winds that deliver
moisture-laden air, resulting in extreme rainfall.
In fact, the BBC reports that the
storm system has prompted state officials to issue a statewide flood watch,
with the potential for flash flooding on Oahu and parts of Maui County continuing
through the weekend. The outlet cited Governor Josh Green as saying that parts
of the state received between 40 and 50 inches of rain over the past 10 days,
with Oahu set to see as much as six more and Maui up to 12 more inches before
it’s all over.
Meanwhile, the Big
Island of Hawaii is forecast to receive its heaviest rains today, March 22,
according to Big
Island Now. On Kauai, conditions have improved and the flood watch has been
lifted, although localized impacts could still occur due to already saturated
soil.
Travel Impacts
Although there are
no weather-related closures of any airports, according to an update from the Hawaii
Tourism Authority (HTA), there is the potential for flights to be cancelled or
delayed. In fact, reports indicate that flights to the islands of Molokai and
Lanai are either cancelled or on hold this weekend, and travelers are advised
to reconfirm arrangements with their airline.
The HTA is
advising all passengers with plans to fly into the Aloha State to check
directly with their airline for the latest information. Travelers should make
sure they’ve enabled SMS and push notifications in their carrier’s app so they
continue to receive real-time updates on their flight status. It’s also
recommended that passengers arrive at the airport early — three hours prior to
departure for transpacific flights and
90 minutes before departure for inter-island flights.
Weather conditions are
expected to improve in the coming week as the Kona low is forecast to move
north of Hawaii. Although visitors with travel plans during the upcoming week
should still stay apprised of their flight status, the HTA emphasized that
there is no reason to cancel or postpone trips to the state.
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