Hawaii Island is shifting into full recovery mode after being battered by back-to-back Kona low storms in the past two weeks, according to Mayor Kimo Alameda. Hundreds of damage reports have already been filed, with over 300 coming from residents and nearly 100 from commercial properties, Alameda told Hawaii News Now.
The county was still responding to the initial impacts of the first Kona low when the second system arrived this weekend, prompting First Alert Weather Days through Sunday due to the threat of heavy rain and flash flooding. A flood watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island through Monday, March 23, 2026, according to the National Weather Service. A winter storm warning is also in place for the summits of the island, forecasting potential heavy snow and strong winds.
“We received over 300 responses in terms of damage assessments from the residents and over almost 100 just commercial,” Alameda said. The county has adjusted pickup schedules and expanded access to its network of transfer stations and green waste facilities to facilitate the disposal of storm debris. “We have about a little over 20 transfer stations and green waste facilities. And so we adjusted the hours. We made it possible for residents all over the island to take their debris to our green waste center,” Alameda explained.
Public works crews are actively clearing debris from roads, prioritizing main routes to restore access. The first Kona low, which impacted the islands between March 13 and 16, caused severe flooding in Naalehu and Waiohinu, and wind damage across Puna, leaving an unknown number of customers without power, according to a statement released on March 20.
Mayor Alameda confirmed ongoing coordination with Governor Josh Green and other county leaders as the state continues its response and recovery efforts. “Yeah, we have a real good collaboration right now with Governor Green, his team, as well as our team and the other mayors, we communicate back and forth kind of our situation,” he said. This collaboration aims to ensure a unified approach to the recovery process.
During the initial storm, Hawaii County received 25 to 30 calls for life-saving rescues in the Ka‘ū and South Kona Districts, with 18 to 20 people rescued by the Hawaii County Fire Department, according to Assistant Fire Chief Ola‘i Carvalho. One incident involved a tree falling on a motorcyclist on Highway 190, attributed to high winds. The west side of the island remains a particular concern due to saturated ground conditions, increasing the risk of landslides, Alameda warned.
Residents can report damage to Hawaii County through a dedicated reporting system. The mayor indicated that the county is now focused on the long-term recovery process, following the immediate emergency response.
