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Kona Low Flooding Threatens Hawaii Farms, Food Security in the Islands

About 5,500 people were evacuated due to flooding worsened by heavy rains and concerns over the century-old Wahiawa dam, which nearly reached its capacity, officials said.

  • On Friday, massive flooding on Oahu's North Shore triggered evacuation orders for 5,500 people as heavy rains from a "Kona low" storm caused extensive damage and raised fears of a dam collapse.
  • Authorities have closely monitored the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam, which the state classifies as having "high hazard potential" and which Dole Food Company has received multiple safety deficiency notices since 2009.
  • Water levels in the dam rose to 84 feet overnight into Friday—just 6 feet shy of capacity—as parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain in a short period, overwhelming saturated soil.
  • Gov. Josh Green estimated the storm's cost could exceed $1 billion, prompting him to seek federal support as cleanup efforts begin amidst ongoing power outages for thousands.
  • A state board is scheduled to vote next week on acquiring the dam, a move intended to facilitate $21 million in repairs to comply with safety requirements Dole proposed to donate.
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Raging floodwaters lift cars, prompt more evacuations in Hawaii

Muddy floodwaters have smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing.

·Greenville, United States
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KHON2 broke the news in Honolulu, United States on Friday, March 20, 2026.
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