Forecasting droughts can play a significant role in determining the severity of the next fire season. With this in mind, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, represented by Planning Assistant Ilene Grossman, attended NOAA's National Weather Service Drought Presentation at the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) building on the wet side of Waimea. A solid core of representatives from various agencies were in attendance: NOAA National Weather Service, State Commission on Water Resources Management, DHHL, UH Manoa, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Mauna Kea Soil & Water Conservation District, Civil Defense, and Hawaii Department of Agriculture (DOA). Malama Solomon, State Senator representing District 4, also attended the meeting.
One of the hot topics of the meeting was the possibility of a strong El Niño this year. NOAA's predictions point to severe drought conditions and a more active hurricane season in the Central Pacific. Attendees gathered together for a round table discussion to give agency updates on how the drought would affect their resources and what they would need to respond appropriately. HWMO was honored to be a part of such a critical discussion and is looking forward to future collaborations with the attendees and their respective agencies and groups.
Banner photo: The latest Drought Monitor map of Hawaii, displaying abnormally dry conditions in Maui and Hawaii Counties.