Over the past few weeks, our islands have endured heavy and unpredictable rainfall from the March 2026 Kona Low storm. What began as passing showers quickly intensified into severe flooding, extended power outages, and widespread disruption across multiple communities. Today the rain has paused, but there is still uncertainty with how unpredictable this weather has been, and the impact is far from over.
Many communities are now in the midst of restoration and recovery, doing what they can to clean up, repair, and prepare. With the possibility of more rain ahead, there is an urgency to put things in place now before conditions worsen again. During the height of the storm, emergency crews carried out hundreds of rescues as people were trapped in homes, camps, and roadways. While we are deeply grateful that there has been no loss of life, the impact on families and communities has been significant.
This has hit very close to home. I have several family members and relatives who live in the affected areas, and many had to evacuate. Some came to stay with us to wait out the storm while searching for hotels or shelter, while others found refuge with extended family. While some homes were spared from direct flooding, others were not, and even for those whose homes were not reached by the water, they have not yet been able to return. Entire communities remain unsafe. Many roads are damaged or at risk of failure, and clean-up efforts are still ongoing across the island.
Power is still out in many affected areas, impacting water systems, and there have been concerns about gas leaks.Some areas remain under evacuation orders, with limited access as first responders continuetheir work. Families are displaced, staying in hotels, shelters, and churches, waiting for the moment they are told it is safe to return home. Some have begun returning to affected areas to clean up and salvage what they can, but the losses are heavy. Many homes and belongings have been severely damaged or destroyed, and some families have even lost animals. Our farmers have been among the hardest hit, losing not only their homes but their livelihoods—animals, land, and crops now flooded and devastated. Beyond that, many are unable to work in those communities. Their workplaces have been impacted, access is limited, and daily life has been completely disrupted, not just for individual families, but for entire communities.
As someone formed through Rooted in Sacred Ground, I’ve learned the importance of showing up for one another in times like this, not just in words, but through action, presence, and care. We are called to respond in solidarity, to care for one another in real and tangible ways.
Ways to Support: ʻOhana across Hawaiʻi affected by the Kona Low Storm can request verified financial support via the Kona Low Storm Financial Support List. Creating a GoFundMe is recommended to safely amplify support. Priority goes to displaced families and those most severely impacted. You can also help by donating money, supplies, or volunteering with organizations like LāHui Foundation, Hawaiʻi Food Bank, and the American Red Cross.
Rhea Quemado, 2025 RiSG Participant