Waimanalo Residents Brace for Kona Low 2.0 Flooding

Nonprofit homeless camp Hui Mahiai Aina struggles with wet pathways and seeks community support

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:51am

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Residents of Waimanalo, Hawaii are dealing with their second flood in two weeks due to Kona Low 2.0, leaving the nonprofit homeless community camp, Hui Mahiai Aina, with wet pathways and in need of help. Roads in the area were flooded throughout the day, forcing some families to consider evacuating to shelters. The camp's CEO, Blanche McMillan, is asking the community for any assistance, such as pillows and blankets, to help them get through the storm.

Why it matters

Waimanalo has been hit hard by the recent Kona Low weather system, with flooding causing disruptions and challenges for the local community, especially the vulnerable residents of the Hui Mahiai Aina homeless camp. The repeated flooding highlights the need for better infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the area.

The details

Roads in Waimanalo were flooded throughout the day, leaving families at the Hui Mahiai Aina homeless camp dealing with their second flood in just two weeks. The camp's CEO, Blanche McMillan, said the wet pathways have been a major issue, and they are doing their best to survive the storm. Authorities were monitoring potential stream overflows and watching the roads, and some residents were forced to consider evacuating to shelters.

  • On March 21, 2026, Waimanalo experienced flooding due to Kona Low 2.0.
  • The previous Kona Low event occurred just a week earlier, forcing many residents to evacuate.

The players

Hui Mahiai Aina

A nonprofit homeless community camp in Waimanalo, Hawaii that is dealing with the impacts of the Kona Low 2.0 flooding.

Blanche McMillan

The CEO of Hui Mahiai Aina, who is asking the community for assistance such as pillows and blankets to help the camp get through the storm.

Christine Felix

A Waimanalo resident who is considering evacuating to a shelter due to the flooding.

Shane Ambrose

A Waimanalo resident who is optimistic that officials can pump out the floodwaters.

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What they’re saying

“This is our homeless shelter, and we can't fight Mother Nature. We just have to go with the flow and just continue being patient, and just have to pray that everything stops.”

— Blanche McMillan, CEO, Hui Mahiai Aina

“It's flooding and I mean, we're just waiting to see if we're going to a shelter, which I hope not, but it seems like I think we might go.”

— Christine Felix, Waimanalo Resident

“Right now, we can handle everything. That's why we have the men here. They're trying to solve a problem with the tent because it's low, so that's why we try to do as much as we can. If it gets worse, then we have to send him to the shelter, but you can see all the houses. They're fine.”

— Blanche McMillan, CEO, Hui Mahiai Aina

“I'd be happy to have your help. Everyone, please help us at Hui Mahiai Aina because we sure need your help, especially for these things that we're losing from the rain and we're trying our best to survive.”

— Blanche McMillan, CEO, Hui Mahiai Aina

What’s next

Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and potential stream overflows, and residents may need to evacuate to shelters if the flooding worsens.

The takeaway

The repeated flooding in Waimanalo due to Kona Low 2.0 highlights the vulnerability of the local community, especially the homeless residents of Hui Mahiai Aina, and the need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure in the area to better protect against the impacts of extreme weather events.