Rainfall Eases Drought, Water Restrictions Lifted for South Kohala

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply announced on Jan. 7, 2026 that recent rainfall over the Waikōloa reservoirs reduced drought stress and brought key storage tanks and reservoirs back to levels that permit a relaxation of emergency water controls for South Kohala customers. The department said those improved levels were sufficient to resume less-restrictive water-management rules that had been in place earlier during the dry period.

The change affects customers served by the Waikōloa system, where limited rainfall in recent months had forced the department to tighten controls to preserve municipal and agricultural supplies. With reservoir and storage-tank recovery, the county has moved away from stricter limitations, but officials cautioned that the situation remains dynamic while operations normalize across the distribution network.

For residents and businesses, the easing should translate into fewer mandatory limits on routine use, though day-to-day effects will vary by neighborhood and connection. Customers may see a gradual return of previously reduced allocations and a lower frequency of conservation notices. The department advised continued voluntary conservation while infrastructure and supply balances stabilize and asked customers to remain alert for any follow-up notices that could be issued if conditions change.

Water has practical and cultural significance in Hawaiʻi, and supply fluctuations affect household needs, landscaping, ranching and small-scale agriculture across the island. For South Kohala, the reprieve comes at a time when island communities remain mindful of weather variability and the pressures it places on finite watershed resources. The rainfall that replenished Waikōloa offers temporary relief, but officials emphasized that a single series of storms does not erase longer-term risks to water security.

The episode in South Kohala echoes broader challenges faced by island and coastal jurisdictions worldwide, where seasonal swings and shifting weather patterns complicate management of limited freshwater resources. Local officials continue to balance immediate service restoration with longer term planning to increase resilience of storage, delivery systems and water-use practices.

Residents should continue to practice sensible conservation measures and monitor communications from the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply for any updates. The department will issue further guidance if supply conditions warrant additional adjustments to water-management rules.