No gripes about the rain
Complain about the rain? Not on Maui. You might hear mutterings from a bride who has her outdoor wedding chased under a tent, or by organizers of a high school baseball tournament with eight teams from around the state sitting and watching puddles form at Maehara Stadium. In the same breath, they will also probably refer to the passing showers as a “blessing.” Even folks who end up with a foot of mud in their flooded ground floor apartments usually qualify their laments with phrases like, “I know Maui needs the rain.”
Recent winter soakers have taken the edge off our extended dry spell. Old-timers will tell you it is only a matter of time until the island is once again gasping for water. Drought has been a recurring story since this newspaper was founded in 1900. Tales of hardship from plantation managers, ranchers and Upcountry farmers have graced these pages many times. Most were written when Maui’s population was a fraction of what it is now. And when 3 million visitors a year was beyond anyone’s imagination.
News that La Niña was officially declared over this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had us wondering how that will impact rainfall in Hawaii. Three years of the Pacific Ocean’s cooling trend were dry for the most part on Maui. If and when an El Niño develops, would that make for wetter times?
Turns out, La Nina is supposed to be the moister of the two for Hawaii. At least it was until 1983. A report by the University of Hawaii’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology says a study of rain gauges showed a drop in rain during La Nina since 1983. According to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Hawaii Drought Monitor, El Niño is associated with drought in the state. El Niño also generally raises temperatures around the globe. Hot and dry, oh boy.
For now, we can enjoy the island in all its lushness. There is even a super bloom of yellow flowers near Kahului Airport. Cynics may point out how the growth is temporary, or merely fuel for the next big brush fire. Even if true, those are just two more reasons to savor the views while we can. Drought presents a pallet of grays and browns, trees just barely hanging on. Each month without rain adds to the quiet tension.
That’s why we sympathize with, but do not feel sorry for visitors who end up spending a week in the rain. That was a week we needed.
NOAA says El Niño may develop this summer, but it is too early to predict when or how intense it will be. You won’t find us complaining if the forecast calls for rain.