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Recovery efforts continue as Kona low system passes

A U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk crew from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade flies over a washed out road on Oahu, Hawaii, on March 21, 2026.
Sgt. Olivia Cowart/25th Combat Aviation Brigade
/
DVIDS
A U.S. Army crew flies over flooding on Oʻahu's North Shore on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The immediate threat from the storm has passed, but recovery efforts continue to assess damage, clear debris and restore infrastructure across Hawaiʻi.

Gov. Josh Green said state offices and operations would return, with the public libraries in Kahuku and on Molokaʻi closing due to flooding, as well as a handful of Department of Education schools.

All DOE schools on Molokaʻi will be closed Monday. On Oʻahu, Waialua High and Intermediate, Waialua Elementary, Haleʻiwa Elementary and Sunset Beach Elementary will be closed. On Hawaiʻi Island, Konawaena High, Konawaena Middle and Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino will be closed.

Oʻahu's North Shore farmlands are seen flooded by the second Kona Low storm. (March 21, 2026)
City and County of Honolulu
Oʻahu's North Shore farmlands are seen flooded by the second Kona Low storm. (March 21, 2026)

The National Weather Service said a remnant band of moisture covering Oʻahu to Hawaiʻi Island is in place through Monday night.

In the Waialua-Haleʻiwa area on Oʻahu, muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles, and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of people on Friday. All remaining evacuation orders on Oʻahu were lifted on Sunday.

All water users on the North Shore from Mokulēʻia to Turtle Bay are under a boil water notice. Any water pulled from the tap should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for three minutes prior to consumption. Officials said there's potential damage to the water system caused by the second Kona low storm. Water tankers have also been stationed at Waialua Community Association, Banzai Skatepark and Waialua District Park Recreation Center.

Hawaiian Electric said power had mostly been restored to customers on Oʻahu's North Shore. The utility de-energized thousands of customers in the area when it flooded on Friday.

Water coming over Kawela Bridge on Kamehameha V Highway on Molokaʻi, the morning of March 22, 2026.
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation 
Water coming over Kawela Bridge on Kamehameha V Highway on Molokaʻi, the morning of March 22, 2026.

In Maui Nui, Hāna Highway into East Maui has reopened. However, motorists are advised of continuing potentially dangerous conditions.

For flood insurance holders, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has a guide and instructional video on filing an insurance claim. Consumers can contact the division at 1-844-808-3222 or visit the DCCA website.

Residents needing storm recovery assistance can contact the Hawaiʻi Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or Aloha United Way by dialing 211 for help connecting to available programs and services.

Kamehameha V Highway on Moloka‘i blocked by water, mud and debris on March 21, 2026. A crew was on scene working to clear the roadway.
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation
Kamehameha V Highway on Moloka‘i blocked by water, mud and debris on March 21, 2026.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health advises beach users to stay out of the water when it appears brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain.

The governor said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital.

Floodwaters fill the ground level of homes in Waialua, Hawaiʻi, Friday, March 20, 2026.
Mengshin Lin
/
AP
Floodwaters fill the ground level of homes in Waialua, Hawaiʻi, Friday, March 20, 2026.

“This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state,” Green said at a news conference Friday. He also said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances of federal support.

Green said the flooding was the state's most serious since the 2004 floods in Mānoa inundated homes and a University of Hawaiʻi library.

Power outages

HECO said Sunday afternoon that fewer than 220 customers were without power across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island — which together cover 474,000 customers. Depending on the extent of flooding damage, some people without power may need to hire an electrician to inspect and possibly repair their home or business equipment, HECO said.

Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui Nui residents can track Hawaiian Electric power outages here. Kauaʻi residents can track KIUC outages here.


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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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