Mayor C. Kimo Alameda of the County of Hawaii issued an emergency proclamation on April 8, 2026, declaring a local state of emergency. The proclamation responds to a powerful storm system with a Kona low-like pattern expected to bring prolonged heavy rain, gusty southerly winds, and concurrent volcanic and coastal hazards to Hawaii Island. It is the third such declaration issued in 2026, following emergency proclamations on March 12 and March 20 that remain in effect.
The April 2026 Hawaii emergency proclamation comes as the ground across the island is already fully saturated from the two previous Kona low storms. That saturation significantly reduces the land’s ability to absorb additional rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides, debris flows, and overflowing streams. In addition to the storm, officials are also managing an active volcanic eruption window at Kilauea and dangerous surf conditions along south-facing shores.
What hazards does the April 2026 Kona storm bring to Hawaii Island?
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for all Hawaiian islands through Friday afternoon, April 10, at 6 PM HST. Forecasters called for 10 to 15 inches of cumulative rainfall for the Volcano and Pahala areas between Wednesday and Friday, with 4 to 6 inches expected for Hilo and 3 to 4 inches for Kailua-Kona. Localized bands and thunderstorms could produce very heavy rainfall rates of 2 to 3 or more inches per hour.
Wind gusts of 30 to 50 miles per hour are forecast countywide, with the strongest gusts to the north and east of higher terrain. At summit elevations above 12,500 feet, a Winter Weather Advisory warned of up to 6 inches of snow, ice accumulation, and gusts up to 55 miles per hour through April 10. Travel to the summits is expected to be very difficult to impossible.
Concurrently, a High Surf Advisory warned of waves 7 to 10 feet along south-facing shores, with occasional sets reaching 12 feet, creating strong breaking waves and dangerous currents. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service also noted that Kilauea Volcano Episode 44 could produce an eruption within the summit caldera through April 15, potentially sending ash, Pele’s hair, and lightweight tephra downwind to the north and northeast.
How are county authorities responding to the emergency?
Mayor Alameda’s proclamation activates emergency management powers under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 127A. It directs the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency to take immediate action, including issuing alerts and warnings, mobilizing personnel, managing evacuation orders if needed, and controlling the movement of traffic. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is the primary point of contact for residents seeking real-time updates.
All county agencies and officers are directed to cooperate and share resources as needed. The Director of Finance is also instructed to administer the disaster and emergency fund. Governor Josh Green had already issued state-level emergency proclamations related to the March Kona low events, the most recent on March 25, 2026, reflecting the scale of the ongoing threat across the entire state.
The proclamation will remain in effect for 60 days unless extended or terminated by a separate order. Residents in flood-prone areas, on steep terrain, or near summit access roads are urged to stay informed and follow all official guidance from civil defense authorities.
What does this mean for Hawaii’s farmers and agricultural communities?
Hawaii’s agricultural sector is still recovering from the first two Kona low storms in March. According to the Hawaii Farm Bureau, about 1,600 farmers reported storm-related damages from those events, with estimated losses reaching approximately $40 million. Coffee and cacao crops in West Hawaii suffered extensive defoliation, while flooded fields across Oahu’s North Shore wiped out entire harvests. Furthermore, topsoil erosion and the spread of invasive pests add long-term risks well beyond the immediate storm damage.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity launched an Emergency Farmer Relief Program offering one-time grants of $1,500 to affected producers, along with emergency loans of up to $100,000 at 3% interest. A new storm on already saturated ground threatens to deepen those losses before farmers have had a chance to recover. Readers interested in how storms and disasters affect livestock operations can also explore related coverage at Agroinformacion’s livestock and animal health section.
The official April 2026 Hawaii emergency proclamation relating to the Kona storm and concurrent hazards was published by the County of Hawaii on April 8, 2026.