Maui Upcountry Battles Worst Drought in Decades, Prompting Water Restrictions

As of October 27th, 2025, Maui's Upcountry region is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis. The County Department of Water Supply has been forced to escalate the area's drought status to a Stage 3 water shortage, the first time such extreme measures have been necessary.

The decision was prompted by a prolonged dry spell that has drastically reduced stream flows in East Maui, the primary source of water for Upcountry. The ditch systems that normally deliver up to 300 million gallons per day are now providing less than 5 million gallons, while county wells are operating at full capacity. Reservoir storage, which recently fell to 127 million gallons, has rebounded to 153 million gallons following limited rainfall, but this supply is expected to last only around two months under continued dry conditions.

In response, the Stage 3 declaration has imposed strict conservation measures on all water users, including residents, businesses, and agricultural operations. All nonessential commercial and industrial water use must stop, and turf grass irrigation is prohibited. Plants and gardens may be watered only once weekly using drip irrigation or hand-watering, and personal vehicle washing is banned. Farmers, who were previously exempt during earlier drought stages, are now subject to the same restrictions, marking a significant shift that threatens local livelihoods.

Scientists point to both short-term variability and longer-term climate trends as contributing factors to Maui's water woes. The region has experienced below-average rainfall since the early 2000s, and shifts in trade wind patterns may be altering rainfall distribution, making Upcountry significantly drier. Environmental groups stress the need for comprehensive solutions, including watershed restoration, stricter diversion limits, and reducing potable water use for nonessential purposes.