By Kai Ioh and KE TEAM Hawaii
Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in second home, resort, and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island.
Kona usually greets us with calm mornings, blue skies, and gentle ocean breezes. Today is a little different.
Since early morning, thick clouds have covered the sky over Kailua-Kona, bringing intermittent bursts of heavy rain. The current rain probability is around 86%, and conditions remain unstable.
A powerful Kona Storm is currently affecting the entire Hawaiian Islands. In response, Governor Josh Green has issued a statewide emergency proclamation.
Safety has become the priority across the island. Around Kona, high school sports have been canceled through Saturday. Even the popular Kona Brewers Festival, originally scheduled for March 14, has been postponed to April 4. A bit disappointing for many of us.
Normally the town is lively with visitors, but today Kona feels unusually quiet. Even our office is nearly empty.
Authorities across Hawai‘i are advising residents to:
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Avoid unnecessary travel
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Never drive through flooded roads
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Stay away from mountainous areas
Severe Weather Across the Hawaiian Islands
This storm system is not limited to the Big Island. It is affecting the entire state.
Big Island
A Flood Watch remains in effect until Saturday evening.
The Kona side is expected to receive particularly heavy rainfall from Friday into Saturday.
At the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, a Winter Storm Warning has also been issued. Snow and icy road conditions are possible at the higher elevations.
Wind gusts near the summits could exceed 100 mph (160 km/h).
Oʻahu
Earlier today, a Flash Flood Warning was issued island-wide.
Flood watches remain in effect, and strong downslope winds from the mountains may develop from tonight through Saturday evening.
Maui
Flood watches are in place through Saturday.
State parks such as ʻIao Valley and Kepaniwai Park have been temporarily closed as a precaution.
Kauaʻi
Flood watches are also active here, and waterspouts have been reported offshore.
What Exactly Is a Kona Storm?
Most of the time, Hawai‘i’s weather is shaped by Trade Winds blowing steadily from the east.
In winter, however, a different weather pattern can develop — a low-pressure system called a Kona Low/Kona Storm.
When this happens:
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Trade winds weaken
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Winds shift from the south or southwest
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Moist tropical air moves toward the normally dry western sides of the islands
As a result, rainfall concentrates in areas that are usually sunny and dry — including Kona.
In simple terms, it means that storms arrive from the leeward side, which is the opposite of Hawai‘i’s typical weather pattern.
These storms are well known for producing:
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Flooding
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Flash floods
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Snow on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
A Small Kona Identity Crisis
For Kona residents, the name “Kona Storm” sometimes feels a little unfair.
The word Kona is not originally a place name. In Hawaiian, it refers to a direction, meaning “leeward” or “southwest.”
The town name Kailua-Kona came later. Because another town named Kailua exists on Oʻahu, the postal service added “Kona” to distinguish the two.
So when the morning news announces a “Kona Storm” or “Kona Low,” it can sound like Kona itself caused the storm.
In reality, it simply refers to winds coming from the Kona direction.
So to be clear…
It’s not Kona’s fault.
A Small Note From History
One interesting historical footnote:
After the Hawaiian Kingdom was unified, the first capital of the kingdom was Kailua-Kona.
Which means that, historically speaking…
Kailua-Kona might have a slight claim to being more “important” than the Kailua on Oʻahu.
But that may just be a bit of friendly Kona resident pride.
Waiting for the Blue Skies Again
For the latest safety updates, it’s best to follow announcements from each county’s Civil Defense office.
And once this storm passes, Kona will likely return to its familiar rhythm — blue skies, calm seas, and sunshine.
If the forecast holds, Saturday might turn into a perfect day to watch the WBC baseball games indoors.