Over 130 000 customers lose power across Hawaii as Kona low brings damaging winds and flash flooding
Over 130 000 electricity customers across Hawaii lost power on March 13, 2026, as a powerful Kona low brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and thunderstorms to the islands. Wind gusts up to 126 km/h (78 mph) were recorded on Oʻahu while forecasters warned rainfall totals of 250–500 mm (10–20 inches) could raise the risk of flash flooding.
Tree downed in Maui by strong winds from the Kona low affecting Hawaii on March 13, 2026. Credit: Hawaii DOT
Over 130 000 customers across Hawaii were affected by widespread power outages as a powerful Kona storm brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and thunderstorms to the islands on March 13.
Utility officials said powerful winds and heavy rainfall damaged infrastructure serving windward Oʻahu, east Honolulu, and parts of Waikīkī.
Wind gusts of around 80–130 km/h (50–80 mph) were reported in parts of the islands through March 13, along with flash flooding that triggered multiple landslides and road closures.
A wind gust of 126 km/h (78 mph) was recorded at around 10:48 LT, about 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Schofield Barracks in Honolulu County. Meanwhile, a 113 km/h (70 mph) gust was recorded at around 13:50 LT, about 3 km (2 miles) northwest of Kailua.
Flash flooding was reported across multiple parts of the islands, prompting road closures, including Kamehameha V Highway and Kawela Gulch on Molokaʻi, while water flowed over the Kamehameha Highway bridge in Maui.
At approximately 17:50 LT on March 13, hazardous weather conditions damaged the only transmission line serving Windward Oʻahu and the Hawaiʻi Kai and East Honolulu areas, triggering widespread outages before partial restoration efforts began later in the evening.
According to Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), approximately 123 000 customers on Oʻahu, about 5 000 customers in Maui County, and around 3 600 customers on Hawaiʻi Island were without electricity as of 20:30 LT on March 13.
Utility crews restored power to about 29 000 customers earlier in the evening after identifying and repairing damage to the transmission line.
However, over 13 000 customers experienced power outages later during the night in ʻĀina Haina to Hawaiʻi Kai, Waimānalo, Hahaione, Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge, Portlock, Kalama Valley, Koko Marina, and Niu Valley. These outages were reported a little after 21:00 LT on March 13.
While the exact number of outages continued to fluctuate, around 130 000 customers remained without power or experienced disruptions overnight from March 13 into March 14, according to HECO’s outage maps.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Honolulu office issued multiple warnings during the event, including Flash Flood Warnings, High Wind Warnings, and a Winter Storm Warning for the summits of Hawaiʻi Island, reflecting the multi-hazard nature of the storm.
Current forecasts indicate that the storm could produce rainfall totals of 250–500 mm (10–20 inches) across some areas, with locally higher totals possible in mountainous terrain where orographic uplift enhances precipitation.
The strongest rain bands could produce rainfall rates exceeding 50–75 mm (2–3 inches) per hour, increasing the risk of rapid stream rises and urban flooding.
Strong winds associated with the Kona storm created hazardous conditions across several islands. Wind gusts capable of downing trees and power lines were reported in multiple areas, contributing to infrastructure damage and prolonged outages. The combination of saturated soils, steep terrain, and intense rainfall also increases the risk of localized landslides.
Emergency management officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, remain alert to changing weather conditions, and stay away from flooded roadways and streams. Floodwaters can rise rapidly during Kona storms, particularly in urban areas and narrow valleys where runoff accumulates quickly.
References:
1 Area Forecast Discussion – NWS – March 13, 2025
2 8:30 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric crews restore major transmission line, bringing power back to 29,000 customers on Oʻahu – HECO – March 13, 2026
3 Local storm reports – NWS – March 13, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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