Officials take drastic action as severe drought grips US region: 'Significantly compromised'

Hawai'i is facing severe water shortages across many of its islands, and Maui is taking strong steps to hold residents accountable for their water-conservation efforts. 

What's happening?

According to Fox Weather, Maui has declared a stage 3 water shortage in its Upcountry area, which implements mandatory water conservation measures. The region is on pace to exceed its water supply by 31%.

The new restrictions will fully ban nonessential water use for commercial and industrial purposes and require the immediate halt of turfgrass watering. Residents can no longer wash their cars, while parks, schools, and recreation fields will not be irrigated. 

Plant containers, trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens can be watered once a week, using only drip irrigation or hand watering. 

Violators are fined $500 for each offense, and repeated violations can result in the offending party being cut off from the water system. 

Why is Maui's drought concerning?

Hawai'i is a delicate, unique ecosystem, one that isn't well equipped to handle severe water deficiency. 

That issue is further exacerbated by the ecosystem changes that humans have made, including the widespread replacement of forests with grass fields. 

Prolonged drought in this region could have devastating consequences for the island's ecosystem and its human population. 

Further exacerbating the issue is that Maui, like much of Hawai'i, has an economy heavily based on tourism, and drought could have significant consequences for that industry. 

The water restrictions have already had an impact, as the PGA has canceled its season-opening golf tournament at Kapalua in January of next year, saying that the watering restrictions had "significantly compromised" course conditions.  

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But Hawai'i's drought is a symptom of a much bigger issue: a warming planet. As temperatures rise, weather patterns become more erratic and dangerous, leading to prolonged droughts in areas not accustomed to being without water. 

What's being done about Maui's drought?

Officials hope that curbing water use will help preserve water supplies before more drastic action is needed. It's unclear when Maui's drought will end, as it will take a sustained period of rainfall to make up the difference. 

On a larger scale, the best way to combat what's happening in Maui is to reduce the pollution that is exacerbating rising global temperatures. Electing politicians who support green initiatives can make a big difference, too. 

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