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Hawai‘i diocese calls for prayers after rainstorms, floods devastate O‘ahu’s North Shore

March 23, 2026

[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of Hawai‘i is calling for prayers for Camp Molulē‘ia in Waialua and the North Shore communities on the island of O‘ahu after the heaviest rainstorms in over 20 years flooded the region, forcing some 5,500 to evacuate as homes and vehicles were destroyed and roads were washed away. All Camp Molulē‘ia staff members are safe and taking shelter in the camp’s lodge and are prepared to move to higher ground if necessary, according to Hawai‘i Bishop Robert L. Fitzpatrick in a March 20 message to the diocese. “[Camp Molulē‘ia] experienced significant flooding … Power has been lost, and flooded roads have made evacuation impossible,” he said. “A blocked road in Waialua continues to complicate the situation.” O‘ahu’s North Shore, a coastal area between Ka‘ena Point and Kahuku that’s famous for its big-wave surf culture, is about 27 miles northwest of Honolulu, where the diocese is based. Parts of O‘ahu received up to 12 inches of rain overnight. Kaala, the island’s highest peak, received nearly 16 inches of rain. The heavy rainstorms were part of the Hawaiian Islands’ “Kona low” winter storm system, which features moisture-laden southerly or southwesterly winds coming from the western “kona,” meaning “leeward” or “dry side” of an island. The storms threatened to break the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam, which was “at imminent risk of failure,” according to officials. Water levels peaked at 84 feet, which is 6 feet shy of the vulnerable dam’s capacity. No deaths or missing people were reported, though more than 230 people were rescued, and some people were hospitalized for hypothermia, Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green said in a news conference. The rains stopped by March 22, and hundreds of volunteers immediately began cleaning debris and mud. Camp Molulē‘ia also has flood damage throughout its 40-acre property, including debris and mud. Camp staff said in a March 21 Facebook post that they “really appreciate” the prayers. “Our prayers and hearts go out to all of Hawai‘i and our local North Shore community,” the post said.