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What are my risks?
How does drought affect me in
the short-term?
Droughts increase the potential for wildland
fires.
Farmers, cattle ranchers, and people using water catchment
systems are the most severely affected by drought.
Big Island papaya grower William Julian stands near
some of his drought-damaged trees. The trees have fruit now, but
Julian predicts that in five months they will produce 75 percent
less fruit. Click
here to read the full article from the Star Bulletin.
Photo by Rod Thompson,
Courtesy of the Star-Bulletin
How does drought affect me in
the medium-term?
Drought exacerbates the problem of ensuring a sustainable
yield of potable water. Since Hawaii is an island state, this is
particularly critical. Failure to take appropriate action could
result in Hawaii not having sufficient quantity and quality of water
resources to sustain future population and industry.
The State’s Department of Land and Natural Resources
(DLNR) has estimated that within 25 years groundwater on Oahu will
have to be supplemented with other sources to keep up with the demand.
Source: Drought and Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan,
Department of Defense, Civil Defense Division, Dec 1998.
Oahu’s Most Severe Droughts
Droughts have impacted almost every island in Hawaii
with the most severe ones in the past 15 years associated with the
El Nino phenomenon. During the El Nino years, droughts have occurred
during the winter-spring period.
|
YEAR
|
REMARKS
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| 1953 |
Rainfall 40% less than normal |
| 1975 |
Worst drought for sugar plantations in 15 years.
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| 1976-77 |
Oahu residents asked to reduce water consumption
by 10% |
| 2000 |
Oahu residents asked to reduce water consumption
by 10% |
Source: State Department of Land and Natural Resources,
National Weather Service, State Civil Defense Division
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