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.
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. 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.