Over 100,000 Without Power in Hawaii Amid Rare Storm

Dangerous thunderstorms, high elevation snow, and heavy rainfall lead to widespread outages across the islands.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:07am

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A rare and powerful Kona low weather system is pummeling Hawaii, leaving over 100,000 customers without power across the state. The storm has brought dangerous thunderstorms, high elevation snow, and several inches of rainfall, leading Governor Josh Green to issue an emergency proclamation. Honolulu has been the hardest hit area, with over 120,000 customers in the dark as transmission lines have been damaged. Flash flood warnings are in effect, and residents are advised to avoid bodies of water. The National Weather Service says the storm will begin to ease on Monday as it lifts northwards.

Why it matters

Kona low storms are uncommon in Hawaii, and the strength and duration of this system is considered rare. The widespread power outages and flash flood threats pose significant risks to public safety and infrastructure across the islands.

The details

The Kona low weather system has brought a combination of hazardous weather impacts to Hawaii, including significant flash flooding, damaging winds, snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits, and strong to severe thunderstorms. Over 120,000 customers in Honolulu alone are without power due to damaged transmission lines, and outages have reached across the state, with more than 7,000 people in Maui and over 4,000 on Hawaii Island also in the dark. Electric crews have been able to restore power to 29,000 customers in parts of Waikiki and East Honolulu, but some are expected to remain without power overnight.

  • The Kona low weather system is expected to produce prolonged heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding statewide.
  • Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation on Monday in response to the storm.
  • As of reporting on Saturday morning, there were more than 120,000 customers without power in Honolulu.
  • The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning that will be in effect until 12:30 a.m. HST (8:30 a.m. ET).
  • The storm will begin to lift northwards on Monday, and unsettled weather will begin to ease.

The players

Josh Green

The governor of Hawaii who issued an emergency proclamation in response to the storm.

Scott Kleebauer

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center who previously told Newsweek about the powerful Kona storm impacting Hawaii.

Maureen Ballard

A National Weather Service meteorologist who previously told Newsweek that the current strength and length of impact of the Kona low storm is considered rare.

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What they’re saying

“A Kona low weather system is 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.”

— Josh Green, Governor

“A powerful Kona storm will produce periods of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. Expect a combination of threats ranging from significant flash flooding, damaging winds, snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits and strong to severe thunderstorms.”

— Scott Kleebauer, Meteorologist, National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center

“Though Kona lows can happen at this time of year, the current strength and length of impact is considered rare.”

— Maureen Ballard, Meteorologist, National Weather Service

What’s next

The National Weather Service says the storm will begin to lift northwards on Monday, and unsettled weather will begin to ease.

The takeaway

This rare and powerful Kona low storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flood threats across Hawaii, highlighting the state's vulnerability to extreme weather events and the need for robust emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience.