Over 5,500 Evacuated in Hawaii as Wahiawa Dam Threatens to Fail

Severe storms bring risk of flash flooding and landslides across the islands

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:08pm

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More than 5,500 people on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, home to the capital Honolulu, have been ordered to evacuate as severe weather conditions threaten the integrity of the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam. The National Weather Service has predicted up to 10 inches of rain on Oahu over the next several days, raising the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides across the island. Authorities have warned the Wahiawa Dam is at risk of imminent failure, prompting the evacuation of the surrounding area.

Why it matters

Hawaii's aging infrastructure, including the Wahiawa Dam, has long been a concern, and the current severe weather conditions have exposed the vulnerabilities of these systems. The potential failure of the dam would have devastating consequences for the surrounding communities, highlighting the need for investment in disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure across the islands.

The details

The evacuation zone covers a large area of the northwest shoreline of Oahu, including the town of Waialua, Dillingham Airfield, and Ka'ena Point State Park. Dozens of people have already been airlifted to safety, and hundreds more have been bused to shelters. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has stated that dozens, if not hundreds, of homes have been damaged, though a full assessment is still pending. The Wahiawa Dam was built in 1906 to support sugar production and has a history of past failures, including a collapse in 1921. Ownership of the dam is currently in the process of being transferred from the Dole Food Company to the state, which plans to invest over $20 million in improvements.

  • On March 20, 2026, more than 5,500 people were ordered to evacuate on Oahu.
  • Between March 10 and March 16, 2026, Oahu received more than 26 inches of rain.
  • Between March 20 and March 23, 2026, Oahu is forecast to receive 4 to 10 inches of additional rain.

The players

Wahiawa Dam

A 120-year-old dam built in 1906 to support sugar production, which is at risk of imminent failure due to severe weather conditions.

Rick Blangiardi

The mayor of Honolulu, who stated that dozens, if not hundreds, of homes have been damaged due to the severe weather.

Dole Food Company

The company that currently owns the Wahiawa Dam, which is in the process of transferring ownership to the state of Hawaii.

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What they’re saying

“The dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage. We encourage all to follow instructions from local and state authorities and stay vigilant during this storm.”

— Dole Food Company

“There's no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic.”

— Rick Blangiardi, Honolulu Mayor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This severe weather event in Hawaii highlights the urgent need to address the vulnerabilities of the state's aging infrastructure, particularly dams and other critical systems, to ensure the safety and resilience of communities across the islands.