Study shows 30-year
Hawaii dry spell

The state climatologist finds
the Big Island particularly hard hit

Ranchers get million-dollar rain

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

Hawaii has had a low rainfall pattern for the past 30 years, especially on the Big Island, where the lack of rain has gone from bad to worse in the last eight years, said state climatologist Pao-Shin Chu.

"This is not a very good sign," said the University of Hawaii professor. "We don't know if this is a trend or if this is a fixed pattern."

Chu, who recently completed a study of rainfall patterns on Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii, said rainfall gauges indicate the drought on the Big Island has been longer than the previously assumed four years and probably closer to eight years.

Chu said while farmers and ranchers have relied on seasonal rains in the past, they should be aware that dry conditions have been prevailing.

"We cannot be naive," Chu said.

Chu said he did not know if the last 30 years of dry weather were connected with global warming of the oceans. He said further research was needed to determine the cause behind the lack of rainfall.

Chu said while he has not studied the rainfall pattern for Maui, he suspects the results will probably be the same as the other islands.

Lee Kunitake, the Hawaii County executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Chu's research indicates farmers and ranchers on the Big Island should be looking for more reliable sources, such as water from wells and reservoirs.

Kunitake said the Big Island has enough water, but drilling and transporting agricultural water will require money.

He said the rainfall on the Big Island has been erratic in the past several years, moving from prolonged drought to torrential rain.

Chester Lao, a hydrologist for the city and county of Ho-nolulu, said Chu's research corresponds with his recent findings.

He said during his plotting of 110 years of rainfall on Oahu, he found there was 18 percent more rain in the first 55 years than in the second.

Lao said the city is moving toward reusing water for irrigation, such as the 11 million gallons used daily from the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant for golf courses and landscaping along city streets.