Hawaii storm: Have flights been cancelled or delayed after flooding causes $1B in damage?

On March 14, 2026, Josh Green, the governor of Hawaii took to Facebook and said: “We are continuing to monitor this severe storm as it moves across our islands, with flooding already reported in several areas on Oʻahu and a Flood Watch remaining in effect statewide through the weekend.

“Officials are closely watching the Wahiawā dam, where water levels are rising. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management has issued an advance notice that evacuations in Wahiawā may be necessary if the reservoir reaches 85 feet, which it is approaching.

“Even if you experience a lull in the weather, we are not out of the storm yet. Please stay vigilant, avoid flooded roads and downed power lines, and follow guidance from county emergency officials.

“More than 120,000 customers are currently without power, and crews are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore service.

“Please stay informed at ready.hawaii.gov and sign up for alerts from your county emergency management agency. Your safety remains our top priority.”

On March 20, a statement from his office read: “Governor Josh Green today announced the closure of all state departments and release of employees not considered disaster response and preparedness workers on O‘ahu, Friday March 20, 2026, effective immediately, due to severe weather conditions that are impacting the island.

“Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate a prolonged period of heavy rain that will continue possibly through Sunday, with flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across the state.

“Meteorologists warn that rainfall could lead to flooding of roads, streams and poorly draining areas, particularly on smaller islands and leeward areas. Strong winds and thunderstorms may also create hazardous travel conditions and possible power disruptions.

“The safety of our residents and families must come first,” said Governor Green. “With catastrophic flash flooding already impacting parts of Oʻahu, including evacuation orders on the North Shore and the potential for dam-related impacts, we are taking this situation extremely seriously. Closing state offices will allow families to focus on getting to safety and will support emergency operations. We urge everyone to heed all warnings, evacuate if directed and stay out of floodwaters as this storm continues through the weekend.”

“With the exception of the Wahiawā District Court, closed earlier today, the Judiciary remains operational and will issue any further guidance for Judicial Branch employees.

“Residents are encouraged to monitor official updates from the National Weather Service and the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA).”

On March 22, a statement from Josh Green’s office read: “ Governor Josh Green today announced that state offices and operations statewide will reopen following the severe weather brought by the recent Kona Low storm system.

“Public schools are also resuming operations, with the exception of a small number of campuses on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu and Moloka‘i, that remain closed due to storm-related damage, access issues or safety concerns. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) continues to assess conditions, complete repairs and communicate directly with affected families and staff. Parents and students are encouraged to check the DOE website for the latest information on school closures.

“Kahuku Public and School Library and Moloka‘i Public Library will be closed to the public tomorrow, Monday, March 23. Additional closures and the reopening of libraries may vary depending on when we can safely reopen to the public.

“While the immediate threat from the storm has passed, recovery efforts continue across the islands as state and county crews assess damage, clear debris and restore impacted infrastructure.

“The state of Hawaiʻi extends its deepest gratitude to essential workers across all counties — including first responders, emergency managers, healthcare workers, utility crews and public works teams — who worked around the clock to protect lives and restore services.

“The strength of Hawaiʻi is our people,” said Governor Green. “Throughout this storm, we saw neighbors helping neighbors, communities stepping up and our emergency teams working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. I want to thank our essential workers and partners for their incredible dedication — and I am deeply grateful to the people of Hawaiʻi for looking out for one another during this challenging time.”

“Residents are reminded to remain cautious as conditions stabilize, particularly in areas still experiencing flooding, road closures or infrastructure damage. The public is encouraged to continue monitoring official updates and to avoid entering floodwaters or unsafe areas.”

Have flights been cancelled or delayed to Hawaii after the storm?

Two days ago the Aloha State Daily website reported that "Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are closely monitoring and assessing weather conditions.” In an email the airlines told the website that "As of 2 p.m., we have canceled six roundtrip Neighbor Island flights and remain focused on supporting our employees who live in the affected areas.”

In a statement, Ed Sniffen, the Department of Transportation said: “All of our airports, including our smaller airports on the Neighbor Islands, are vital transportation links for our residents and visitors and they will remain open to serve the traveling public.”