Kona-low Damage Pales Compared to Looming Hurricanes

Letter warns Hawaii must prepare for more powerful storms as climate change shifts hurricane paths northward.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:05am

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In a letter to the editor, Kioni Dudley warns that the damage from recent Kona-low storms in Hawaii is nothing compared to the devastation that could be caused by the increasingly powerful hurricanes that are now directly threatening the islands due to climate change. Dudley calls on the state government to make hurricane preparation a top priority, including allocating $4 billion from Army land leases towards strengthening infrastructure and shelters.

Why it matters

As the climate continues to warm, Hawaii is facing a heightened risk of being directly impacted by catastrophic hurricanes. The letter highlights the need for urgent action to protect residents and prepare the state's infrastructure to withstand these powerful storms.

The details

Dudley notes that last year, three of the five Atlantic hurricanes were Category 5, including Melissa, which is now tied as the strongest hurricane ever recorded. He warns that Hawaii does not have a single shelter that can withstand a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane, and thousands could die as a result. Dudley is calling for the state to push builders to use more hurricane-resistant concrete construction instead of wood, and for the legislature to prioritize hurricane preparedness bills that have previously been killed.

  • Last year, three of the five Atlantic hurricanes were Category 5.
  • For two years, Hawaii's legislators have killed every hurricane preparedness bill.

The players

Kioni Dudley

A resident of Makakilo, Hawaii, who wrote a letter to the editor warning about the need for the state to prioritize hurricane preparedness.

Gov. Josh Green

The governor of Hawaii, whom Dudley is calling on to make hurricane preparation a top priority and allocate $4 billion from Army land leases towards strengthening the state's infrastructure and shelters.

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What they’re saying

“Those Kona-low storms were nothing compared to coming hurricanes. With warming seas, the hurricane spawning area has moved northward and we are now directly in the path of hurricanes crossing the Pacific.”

— Kioni Dudley, Resident

“Concrete houses cost so little more to build than wood and are a bargain because of low insurance costs. Push builders to switch.”

— Kioni Dudley, Resident

What’s next

Gov. Josh Green is being called on to make hurricane preparation a top priority and allocate $4 billion from Army land leases towards strengthening the state's infrastructure and shelters. Dudley is also calling for rallies to raise awareness and the replacement of legislators who have killed hurricane preparedness bills.

The takeaway

This letter highlights the urgent need for Hawaii to take decisive action to prepare for the increasingly powerful hurricanes that are now directly threatening the islands due to climate change. Investing in hurricane-resistant infrastructure and shelters is critical to protecting residents and minimizing the potential for catastrophic loss of life.