What you need to know about the kona low Sunday on Big Island: County of Hawaiʻi facilities to reopen tomorrow, 14,500 are without power : Big Island Now
Highway 11 pictured Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2026 at the 50-mile marker north of Keaīwa. (Photo Shared: Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation on Facebook)
Editor’s note: This page will be continuously updated throughout the day.
The County of Hawaiʻi will return to normal operations on Monday, but the public should continue to exercise caution due to ongoing hazards from the Kona low storm.
The National Weather Service issued an islandwide flood watch that remains in effect into Monday. Soils remain saturated from heavy rains, and there continues to be a flash flood risk for Kaʻū, Kona and Kohala. Scattered showers and locally heavy rainfall are forecast for Monday as the storm dissipates.
The wind advisory for the island has been canceled and the high surf advisory for west-facing shores has been extended until 6 a.m. Monday, March 16. All arterial roadways (high capacity roads) are open to the public.
“While peak storm impacts have passed, we are not out of the woods yet, so please continue to exercise caution,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “I want to give a special mahalo to our first responders and road crews who are working hard to keep our residents safe. Throughout this storm, our community has stepped up in a big way, and the support from our State, National Guard, and nonprofit partners has been critical to protecting life and property.”
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Mayor Alameda added, “As we move toward the cleanup and recovery phase, be aware of hazards that may still be present, including downed power lines.”
Today, Hawaiian Electric crews completed repairs to two transmission lines and expect to complete repairs to a third line by tomorrow. Damage assessments and repairs are being done in the lower Puna and South Point areas.
As of 5 p.m., about 14,500 Hawaiian Electric customers on the Big Island are still without power, mostly in Puna, North and South Kona and South Point.
National Weather Service radar loop from about an hour and 20 minutes ending at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Residents looking to dispose of green waste created by the storm may use the East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility in Hilo, West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility at Puʻuanahulu or the following County transfer stations: Keaʻau, Waiʻōhinu, Keʻei, Kealakehe, Waimea, Volcano and Pāhoa. All solid waste facilities return to normal operations on Monday.
Bus services also will return to normal operations on Monday. Park facilities will reopen following the completion of damage assessments.
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As the Kona low storm moves away from Hawai‘i, residents may be eager to start clean-up. Use caution to protect against continuing hazards and document the damage. Residents should contact their insurance agent and document damaged property with photos before beginning cleanup.
The reports will be used to assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources. If you are unable to fill out forms online, call Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031. Residents and businesses impacted by the storm may submit damage reports to Civil Defense at the following links:
To report agricultural damage, please contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at (808) 933-8381 Ext. 2.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard will continue to work with the counties and the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency for any future requests for assistance.
On Saturday, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department personnel rescued 18 residents from flooded homes and stranded vehicles.
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Late Saturday evening, the shelter at Nāʻālehu Community Center was relocated to Nāʻālehu Elementary School due to a flood channel overflowing. The Hawaiʻi Fire Department and Hawaiʻi Police Department personnel conducted voluntary evacuations of nearby residents.
Twenty-four civilians, including the six shelter occupants, were assisted by Hawaiʻi National Guard’s high-water vehicles.
As of 3 p.m. today, the Hawai‘i National Guard has as activated about 90 soldiers and airman to support all counties during the recent kona low storm.
Power outages
About 14,500 Hawaiian Electric customers on the Big Island were still without power as of 5 p.m. Sunday, mostly in Puna, North and South Kona and South Point.
Widespread damage caused by the kona low event is hampering response efforts by Hawaiian Electric across its services areas, and customers who are currently without electricity should plan for prolonged outages into the overnight hours, and possibly days.
Although crews may not be able to perform some work at night due to weather conditions or safety concerns, other planning, assessment and operations activities will continue around the clock. Outage numbers remain fluid as power may be restored to some customers and another area may experience an outage.
“The safety of the public and our crews is our top priority,” said Marc Asano, Hawaiian Electric incident commander. “Restoration is expected to be a long and complex process, and we ask for the patience, understanding, and cooperation of all customers.”
All customers are urged to stay prepared for potential extended outages through the remainder of today into early next week as the storm continues to make its way across the state. To view current outages and report outages, visit hawaiianelectric.com.
Current weather advisories
High surf advisory: In effect until 6 a.m. Monday, March 16 for west-facing shores of the Big Island as strong south to southwesterly winds will produce large and rough surf of 7 to 10 feet. Combined with strong currents along those western shorelines, swimming and other ocean activities will be dangerous. When in doubt, don’t go out.
Flood watch: In effect islandwide through Sunday night, March 15. Click on the embedded link to learn more.
Wind warning: A high wind warning is now in effect for Big Island summits on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa until 6 a.m. Monday, March 16.
Wind advisory: The wind advisory for the Big Island has been canceled.
Winter storm warning: The temperature has risen above freezing and snow has changed over to rain. Snow may still periodically mix with rain.
Graphic Courtesy: National Weather Service
Water main break
Department of Water Supply customers in the Konawaena and Nāpōʻopoʻo areas are without water as crews work to repair a water main break in South Kona.
A Department of Water Supply water tanker is stationed on the makai side of the Kealakekua Ranch Center for public use during the interruption.
Water restriction
Water customers in North and South Kona, North Kohala, Pāhoa and Mountain View are asked to restrict water use to essential needs — and everyone on the island to conserve water — only because of possible prolonged power outages.
The department relies on Hawaiian Electric to power its wells and booster pumps for water distribution, an extended power outage could deplete portions of the department’s water systems and leave customers with low pressure or no water at all.
Big Island summits
A high wind warning is now in effect for Big Island summits until 6 a.m. Monday, March 16.
Southwest winds are reaching 50 to 80 miles per hour with gusts up to 100 miles per hour on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, which can be dangerous for driving and walking.
Motorists, especially those in high profile vehicles, are urged to drive with extreme caution. However, travel o summit areas should be delayed until winds subside.
Closed emergency shelters
- Kekuaokalani Gym, 75-5500 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona.
- Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Nāʻālehu.
- Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
- Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
- Panaʻewa Park, 100 Ohuohu St., Hilo.
- Papāʻaloa Park Annex, 35-1994 Government Main Road, Papāʻaloa.
- Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa.
- Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea.
- Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau.
- Waikōloa Elementary School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hooko St., Waikōloa.
- Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
- Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2910 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
People using a shelter should bring their own supplies, including sleeping bags, food, water, necessary medications and pet food. All shelters, except Waikōloa Elementary School, are pet-friendly. Pets must be kept in a crate or carrier.
Graphic Courtesy: National Weather Service
Road closures
- Kaʻalāiki Road (Cane Haul Road) in Ka‘ū between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu closed because of flooding.
- Waipi‘o Valley Road in Hāmākua is open to residents and farmers only.
- Wood Valley Road in Pāhala in Ka‘ū because of flooding.
- Kohala Mountain Road, also known as Highway 250, tree down at 20-mile marker. State crew responding.
- Hualālai Road, between Kakalina Street and Hienaloli Road, because of roadway damage from rain and flooding. Both lanes closed.
Previously closed roads now open again
- Aliʻi Drive (Aliʻi Bypass), between Halekiʻi Street and Nāpōʻopoʻo Road in Kailua-Kona, is open in both directions.
- Aliʻi Drive, between Kaʻahumanu Place (Kailua Pier) and Sarona Road, is open in both directions.
- Highway 11 between the 65- and 66-mile markers in Hāʻao Springs Road/Waiʻōhinu, is open.
- Highway 11, between the 62 and 56 mile markers in Kawa, has now open and barricades have been removed.
- Highway 11 between the 50- and 51-mile markers in Pāhala, is open.
- Highway 11, between the 50-mile marker and Kamani Street in Pāhala, is open.
- Highway 11, between Pinao Street and Kaʻaluʻalu Road in Ka‘ū, is open.
- Highway 11, near the intersection of North Glenwood Road at the 22-mile marker, is open to all traffic.
- Highways 190, 11 and 130, is open with fallen trees cleared.
- Highway 130, near 3-mile marker, is open.
- Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, between Hāpuna Beach and Kawaihae Road intersection, is open.
- Kawaihae Road, near Spencer Beach Park and Kawaihae Harbor, is open.
- ʻAkoni Pule Highway, at the 4-mile marker in Kawaihae, is open.
- Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, near the Mormon Temple, is open.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains closed today due to power outages, downed power lines, fallen trees, flooding and other storm-related damage.
Park rangers and other staff are working to assess damage and clear roadways. The park could reopen some areas on Monday, March 16 but there is no timeline.
Overnight guests of Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House may enter the park and shelter in place.
Closures and cancellations
- All Hawai‘i County offices closed through Sunday for all nonemergency services
- All Hawai‘i County beach parks closed through Sunday.
- All Hawai‘i County transfer stations, solid waste facilities and landfills closed through Sunday. County officials ask and urge residents to not leave rubbish at the closed transfer stations.
- Hilo Municipal Golf Course closed through Sunday.
- Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens closed through Sunday.
- Hawai‘i state parks; visit the Hawaiʻi State Parks web page for updates about storm-related closures.
- Several areas inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, including Mauna Loa summit
- All Hawai‘i public libraries
- All public and charter schools as well as many University of Hawai’i campuses statewide
- Hawaiʻi Judiciary facilities and services, as well as state offices
- All fixed route Hele-On buses and paratransit services are canceled again Sunday. Check the Hele-On X page for updates. Call 808-640-1020 for additional paratransit updates.
- Camping permits at all Hawai‘i County parks are canceled through Monday morning (March 16).
Schatz statement
Hawai‘i Democrat U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz released this statement about the severe weather affecting communities throughout Hawai‘i:
“My team and I are in contact with state and local leaders and closely monitoring the devastating storm impacting communities across Hawai‘i. The priority right now is keeping people safe and supporting first responders. We will continue working with federal, state, and county partners to ensure Hawai‘i gets the federal resources it needs in the days and weeks ahead.”
Stay informed
Hawaiʻi County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense alerts.
View the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Impact Map for additional weather-related information.
Stay updated about weather by visiting the Big Island Now weather page and the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.
Screenshot of Hawaiʻi County Hazard Impact Map from Saturday, March 14, 2026.
