State once again declares emergency for Maui County drought conditions
Acting Gov. Clare Connors signed an emergency proclamation Wednesday over drought conditions in Maui County, as dry landscapes and a lack of rainfall drive deer migrations and loss of crops.
Rainfall, stream flow and groundwater levels continue to be significantly below normal in Maui County, which has been battling drought conditions since March 2019.
Ranches and farms in Maui County have suffered significant economic loss due to the drought, as large numbers of axis deer migrate into agricultural and developed areas seeking food and water, contributing to the loss of crops and devastation of farms, the state said in a news release Wednesday.
Deer are also foraging in urban areas and along roadways, causing several traffic accidents. About 300 to 500 deer are foraging along the fence line of the Kahului Airport, with a few entering active runways, creating unsafe conditions for landings and take-offs, the news release added.
The National Weather Service reported Tuesday that after a period of wet trade winds during the first half of October, drier and more stable conditions settled in over the state during the second half of October and early November. On Maui, “extreme” drought conditions worsened to “exceptional” drought, while extreme drought persisted in leeward areas of Molokai and Lanai as well as Upcountry and Kaupo. Pasture and general vegetation health remained very poor across leeward areas of the county.
In March 2020, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Maui County as a primary natural disaster area because of drought conditions, which currently remain unchanged.
Gov. David Ige initially issued a proclamation declaring an emergency on Jan. 27, enabling the state to provide Maui County with relief from disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by the drought conditions. It expired after 60 days.
The proclamation signed by Connors declares the emergency relief period begins immediately and continues through Jan. 7 unless terminated or superseded by a separate proclamation.
Connors is acting governor while Ige is in Scotland attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference. He is scheduled to return to Hawaii Nov. 13.
Sen. Lynn DeCoite, who sent a letter to Ige requesting the emergency proclamation Oct. 28, thanked the governor and administration in a news release on Wednesday.
“This proclamation helps to open pathways for swift response by all levels of government, along with private landowners to address the dire deer situation that has continued to be a public health and safety concern for the people of Maui County,” said DeCoite, who represents East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.