This is a developing story. Conditions, road closures, and advisories are changing rapidly. Information below was current as of March 30, 2026, but may no longer reflect the latest situation. Check official sources before making travel decisions.

Two back-to-back Kona storms have left Hawaii reeling. Governor Green has estimated over $1 billion in damage and has formally requested a presidential major disaster declaration — asking the federal government to cover up to 90% of recovery costs. Joint preliminary damage assessments with FEMA are underway across all counties. This is the worst flooding event Hawaii has seen in 20 years. The immediate storm threat has passed, trade winds have returned, and recovery is making real progress — but it’s uneven. Some roads have reopened, boil water notices have been lifted on the North Shore, and resort areas are functioning normally. Brown water advisories persist statewide, and several key routes and attractions remain closed or restricted. If you have a Hawaii trip planned in the coming weeks or months, this is essential reading.

As of March 30, 2026, the storms are over and recovery is progressing, but conditions still vary widely by island:

• Oahu — The hardest hit overall. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of the North Shore, lifting homes and cars and prompting evacuation orders for 5,500 people. Mayor Blangiardi said first responders conducted 233 rescues with no reported fatalities. Power has been restored across most of the island. Approximately 5,816 tons of debris have been collected by city crews and contractors. A 14-member FDNY incident management team deployed to Oʻahu on March 29 to support ongoing cleanup operations. The Board of Water Supply has lifted the boil water notice for the North Shore — first for Pūpūkea Road to Turtle Bay (March 24) and then Pūpūkea Road to Waialua (March 25). Haleiwa has reopened to visitors, but access to Waialua and Mokulēʻia remains restricted to residents and recovery workers. The Wahiawa Dam crisis has also advanced — the DLNR board voted 6-1 on March 28 to authorize state acquisition of the dam and Lake Wilson from Dole Food Co., with at least $21 million in upgrades planned.
• Maui — Hana Highway reopened from Hana Town to Twin Falls on March 23, and MEO bus service to Central Maui has resumed. Hazards persist, including intermittent single-lane closures at mile markers 19.4 and 19.6 for rock scaling with 15–20 minute traffic holds. A sinkhole at South Kihei Road near Kamaole Beach Park II and another at Liloa St. and Laalo St. in Lahaina remain under repair. Haleakalā Crater Road is still closed between mile marker 2.5 and the National Park while crews repair a drainage culvert at mile marker 7. Waiʻānapanapa State Park has an anticipated reopening of March 31 after HECO repairs a damaged pole, powerline, and transformer. West Maui resort areas (Kaanapali, Wailea) look normal with cleanup complete.
• Big Island — The Ka’ū District took heavy damage, with Highway 11 in Waiʻōhinu turning into a raging river and 18 to 20 people rescued between Ka’ū and South Kona. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened with access to the Kīlauea summit area and Chain of Craters Road, though Mauna Loa Road beyond Kīpukapuaulu remains closed due to combined storm and volcanic eruption impacts. The Kīlauea eruption is currently paused with the next episode forecast for April 6–14. The brown water advisory for Pauoa Bay to Honokōhau Harbor was canceled on March 28, though advisories remain for shorelines from Polulū Valley to South Point. The Kona resort coast is largely operational.
• Kauai — Fared the best of the four main islands. Brown water advisories, road problems, and debris cleanup affected the Garden Isle too, but Kauai bounced back faster than the other islands. Routine road work (paving, rumble strips, bridge concrete) is now the main source of closures rather than storm damage.
• Brown water advisories remain in effect statewide across Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui as of March 28. Some Big Island advisories have been canceled. The city has strongly urged the public to stay out of ocean waters — especially heading into the Prince Kūhiō Day holiday weekend. Waimanalo Beach previously recorded enterococci levels of over 24,000 per 100 mL (safe limits are 130). Check the DOH Clean Water Branch for current advisories before entering the ocean.

Road to Hana Highway Closures & Updates | Maui Hawaii

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Road repairs are actively underway across the islands. Some routes have partially reopened since our last update, but several key closures remain:

• Hana Highway (Maui) — Reopened from Hana Town to Twin Falls as of March 23. The road is passable but not back to normal — expect intermittent single-lane closures at mile markers 19.4 and 19.6 for rock scaling work with 15–20 minute traffic holds. Bus service from Hāna to Central Maui has resumed. Check our Hana Highway closures page for the latest status.
• Kamehameha Highway (Oahu) — A 24/7 single-lane closure is in effect between the Waimea Bay parking lot and ʻIliohu Way through April 10 to install erosion matting on lower slopes. The Waikane Bridge section has reopened in both directions. The main surf breaks, beaches, and highway through the North Shore are accessible, though secondary roads may still have damage.
• Kalaniana’ole Highway (Oahu) — Left lanes in both directions have reopened between Kapaʻa Quarry Road and Castle Junction. Right lanes remain closed while slopes dry out and erosion control work is completed.
• Pali Highway (Oahu) — Engineers are working to reopen two lanes for peak travel (Honolulu-bound in AM, Kailua-bound in PM) starting March 30. The Kailua-bound lanes near Waokanaka Street closed again March 26 after potholes developed from water bubbling under the road.
• Haleakalā Crater Road (Maui) — Closed between mile marker 2.5 and the National Park for culvert repairs at mile marker 7. The summit is not accessible. The road below MM 2.5 opened to local traffic on March 22, but visitor access to the summit remains blocked.
• Oahu’s North Shore — Haleiwa has reopened and is welcoming visitors. However, the Hawaii Tourism Authority says tourists should steer clear of Waialua, Mokulēʻia, and parts of Haleiwa still dealing with residential recovery. Cleanup operations are ongoing with a vacuum truck deployed across the North Shore.
• Waiʻānapanapa State Park (Maui) — Closed through March 30, with anticipated reopening March 31 pending HECO’s replacement of a damaged pole, powerline, and transformer.
• Honoapiilani Highway (Maui) — Rockfall damage from the Kona low. Sinkholes reported at South Kihei Road near Kamaole Beach Park II and at Liloa St. and Laalo St. in Lahaina.

Beat of Hawaii raised a good question after the storms: which island should you actually visit? Here’s how things look now, five days further into recovery:

Kauai is still the safest bet. The Garden Isle didn’t dodge the storms, but it bounced back fastest. Routine road maintenance — paving, rumble strips — is now the main source of closures rather than storm damage. Brown water advisories persist, so check ocean conditions before swimming, but overall Kauai is closest to normal operations.

Maui is improving but still limited. Hana Highway reopened on March 23 — a big step forward — but expect intermittent single-lane closures and traffic holds for rock work. Haleakalā Crater Road remains closed above mile marker 2.5, so summit visits are off the table. Waiʻānapanapa State Park may reopen March 31. West Maui resort areas (Kaanapali, Wailea) look normal and cleanup is complete. If your Maui trip depends entirely on Haleakalā or a smooth Hana drive, adjust expectations.

Oahu has made real progress since last week. The boil water notice has been lifted across the North Shore. Haleiwa has reopened to visitors. Nearly 5,816 tons of debris have been cleared by city crews, and a 14-member FDNY team arrived March 29 to support operations. Waikiki and the south shore are functioning normally. But Waialua and Mokulēʻia remain restricted, Kamehameha Highway has a single-lane closure through April 10, and brown water advisories are still active. The Wahiawa Dam situation has stabilized after the DLNR board voted to authorize state acquisition.

The Big Island is a mixed bag trending positive. Ka’ū and South Kona got hammered, but Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened with access to the Kīlauea summit and Chain of Craters Road. The brown water advisory for the Kona coast was partially canceled on March 28. The Kona resort coast is largely operational.

If your trip is in early April, you still need flexibility regardless of island. Mid-to-late April through May is a better window — weather improves, tourist crowds thin out, and road repairs should be substantially further along.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has said there is no reason to cancel trips. That messaging is more accurate now than it was a week ago — airports are operating normally, major resort areas (Waikiki, Ko Olina, Kaanapali, Wailea, Poipu, Waikoloa) were not significantly impacted, and meaningful recovery progress has been made.

But “no reason to cancel” still isn’t the same as “everything is fine.” Brown water advisories remain statewide. Haleakalā is inaccessible. Waialua and Mokulēʻia are restricted. Several highways are running on reduced lanes. The Kona storms triggered millions in tourism losses and Hawaii’s economy depends on visitors returning — but travelers deserve accurate information so they can plan around the closures that remain and set realistic expectations for what they’ll find.

Hawaii's Ocean Safety: Information & Tips To Remember

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If you have a trip to Hawaii coming up, here’s our advice:

• Check road conditions daily. Visit the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the HDOT Lane Closure Map before you head out each day. Conditions are shifting as repairs progress, and a road expected to reopen in a week can slip if more damage is uncovered.
• Build flexibility into your itinerary. Don’t plan a trip that hinges on a single route or attraction being open. If Haleakalā or the North Shore’s residential areas are on your list, have backup plans ready.
• Respect brown water advisories. Stay out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rainfall — and avoid any water that appears brown or murky, especially near stream mouths and drainage outlets. Check the DOH Clean Water Branch for real-time advisories before entering the water. Officials have also warned of potential increased shark activity due to runoff attracting marine life. This is a serious health concern, not a suggestion. Review our ocean safety tips for more guidance.
• Have a rental car lined up. With some transit routes still recovering and rideshare availability spotty outside resort areas, a rental car gives you the flexibility to reroute around closures. Book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental — their free cancellation policy means you can lock in a rate now and adjust if your plans change.
• Confirm reservations within 48 hours of departure. Tours, activities, and excursion schedules are still adjusting. Don’t assume your booking is operating as planned — especially anything on Maui’s east side or Oahu’s North Shore.
• Consider your timing carefully. Early April still carries risk of closures and reduced access. Mid-to-late April through May is a safer window — weather improves, road repairs should be further along, and Kauai in particular is close to normal operations now.

The full scope of recovery is still being assessed. The state DOT projects $23 million in highway damage. Kula Hospital on Maui may require hundreds of millions more. From March 1 to 24, Kuiki on Maui recorded 68.35 inches of rain — the first Kona storm alone dropped 44 inches in Kula with wind gusts up to 135 mph. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu logged nearly 16 inches of rain, its fourth-rainiest stretch on record since 1941.

Federal and state aid is mobilizing. Governor Green formally requested a presidential major disaster declaration on March 24, with the full Hawaiʻi congressional delegation urging President Trump to approve it. Joint preliminary damage assessments with FEMA are underway across all counties. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture has announced one-time emergency grants of $1,500 for farmers and ranchers, plus low-interest emergency loans up to $100,000 at 3%. NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System has been activated to support HIEMA’s response. The state has also begun the process of acquiring the troubled Wahiawa Dam from Dole Food Co. — the DLNR board voted 6-1 on March 28 to authorize the acquisition, with plans for $21 million or more in safety upgrades.

Trade winds have returned and weather has improved, but infrastructure repairs, beach restoration, and road clearing will continue well into April. Road work on Kamehameha Highway runs through at least April 10. Haleakalā Crater Road has no firm reopening date. Mid-to-late April through May offers traditionally excellent weather and manageable crowds, giving the state time to get things back in order. We’ll continue to update this page and our island-specific guides as conditions change.

Updated March 30, 2026. Sources: Beat of Hawaii, Beat of Hawaii (recovery timeline), Board of Water Supply, City & County of Honolulu (recovery update), City & County of Honolulu (brown water), DOH Clean Water Branch, Governor’s Office (disaster declaration), Hawaii DOD/HIEMA, Hawaii DOT (road repairs), Hawaii News Now (North Shore tourism), Hawaii News Now (Volcanoes NP), Hawaii News Now (FDNY), Honolulu Civil Beat, Honolulu Civil Beat (Wahiawa Dam), Honolulu Star-Advertiser (dam takeover), KHON2 (road repairs), KITV (FDNY), Kauai Now, Maui County (Hana Hwy), Maui County (Haleakalā), Maui Now, The Garden Island, USGS Kīlauea