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Kihei Today
By the People, for the People
Kona Storm Brings Hazardous Weather Across Hawaii
Powerful storm system to produce flooding, damaging winds, and snow through the weekend
Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:22pm
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A powerful kona storm system is bringing a combination of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend, including significant flash flooding, damaging winds, snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits, and strong to severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Maui County and a High Wind Watch for Maui County as the storm system lifts northward.
Why it matters
Kona storms can bring widespread disruption and damage to the Hawaiian Islands, with the potential for flash flooding, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions. The closure of popular parks and recreation areas highlights the severity of the weather impacts and the need for residents and visitors to heed weather warnings and take appropriate safety precautions.
The details
The kona storm system is expected to produce periods of heavy rainfall, strong southwesterly winds, and the potential for snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits. Damaging wind gusts are forecast along the north and east sides of the island mountains from Friday into Saturday. Unsettled wet weather conditions with southwesterly winds will continue into early next week before high pressure builds back in, allowing trade winds to return.
- The Flood Watch for Maui County is in effect until 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
- The High Wind Watch for Maui County is in effect from 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026 until Sunday morning.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related watches, warnings, and advisories for the United States and its territories, including Hawaii.
County of Maui
The local government of Maui County, which has closed Kepaniwai Park due to the severe weather forecast.
State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
The state agency that has closed camping areas on Maui, Molokai, and Oahu in response to the kona storm.
What’s next
The kona storm system is expected to lift northward on Monday, and unsettled weather will start to ease across the Hawaii region. High pressure will build back in north of the state, allowing trade winds to return from next Wednesday onward.
The takeaway
This powerful kona storm highlights the need for residents and visitors to stay vigilant and prepared for hazardous weather conditions, including the potential for flash flooding, damaging winds, and travel disruptions. The closures of popular parks and recreation areas underscore the severity of the storm and the importance of heeding weather warnings to ensure public safety.
