HONOLULU -- Dry weather sparked by an ongoing El Nino event has intensified drought conditions in many areas of Hawaii.

Portions of the North and South Kohala Districts on the Big Island are now in D4, or exceptional drought classification for the U.S. Drought Monitor Map kept by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This marks the first time anywhere in Hawaii has been at the D4 level since the U.S. Drought Monitor began in 1999.

Reports from the worst drought areas indicate "very poor conditions for livestock," according to a statement released Thursday by Kevin Kodama, hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

Kodama goes on the state that, "one rancher reported that their upslope drainage ran out of water and this has never before happened."

"Significant amounts of supplemental feed have been required as pastures have been insufficient to support herds. One rancher indicated having to haul 85,000 pounds of hay per week to the leeward side to sustain herds," Kodama said.

The statement also reports that nonirrigated crops, orchards and ornamentals are growing slower than normal and that coffee trees in Kona have not been flowering. Some farmers report buying water at six times the normal rate to keep protea plants alive. The only plants producing well are drought-resistant trees and crops, according to Kodama.

The dry conditions have also made many areas of the Kona-side of the Big Island highly vulnerable to brush fires. On the normally wet Hilo-side of the island, residents who are dependent on rainwater catchment are increasing request for water hauling.

Several rain gauges recorded their driest February since 2000 and most received lower totals than January.

More than three-quarters of Hawaii is suffering from drought conditions and the state is the only one in the country with D3 (extreme) or D4 (exceptional) classification.

With the El Nino expected to continue into spring and the normal dry season to follow, drought relief may not come for several more months.

Kodama's full report is available at the National Weather Service Honolulu Web site.