Weather figures for the first six months of this year show that many areas of the state continue to receive less than half of normal rainfall, a trend the National Weather Service expects will last through September.

The lack of rainfall, especially following an abnormally dry winter, has prompted concerns about water shortages and more brushfires during the hottest and driest part of the year.

The low rainfall levels are primarily affecting the leeward areas of all islands, with Upcountry Maui and Hamakua and South Kohala on the Big Island among those hardest hit, said Kevin Kodama, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service.

Maui and Hawai'i County both issued a declaration of drought on June 12.

"Just a year ago, we had quite a bit of rain," Kodama said. "Now we're on the opposite side — not that it makes it any easier for people. It's just part of a natural cycle."

Even normally wet areas like Manoa on O'ahu saw only about 68 percent of normal rainfall levels from January to June.

For June, some areas of Leeward O'ahu and the Big Island, as well as Upcountry Maui, received less than 10 percent of the normal amount of rainfall.

Since June is one of the driest months of the year, "we're talking 10 percent of even a low amount, so that's really not much rain at all," Kodama said.

Last month, the Department of Water Supply in Hawai'i County issued a mandatory 25 percent reduction notice for Waimea Town to Kawaihae, Upper Pa'auilo and Ahuloa. At the same time, the water board on Maui began requiring customers in Upcountry Maui to cut their water use by 10 percent.

Jacky Takakura, administration officer for the Maui Department of Water Supply, said the reduction requirement will go into effect for agricultural customers beginning Aug. 12. She estimated that 'Ulupalakua and Kula, which are largely agricultural, would be most affected by the drought.

Maui's Waikamoi reservoir ran completely dry early last month and remains empty. The two reservoirs at Kahakapao, which together normally store 100 million gallons of water, have only about 14 million gallons.

"Our water reservoirs are still very, very low," Takakura said.

To compensate, the county has been pumping water from Wailoa Ditch to Pi'iholo reservoir, which is at a higher elevation, to sustain the water level there.

Farmers on the state irrigation system in Waimea were reminded that a water conservation notice was in effect for their system and all farmers using the county system were required to limit irrigation to between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The dry conditions have increased concerns about brushfires, always an issue during the hot summer months. Hawai'i has recently experienced several years of wetter weather, meaning more dried-out vegetation to fuel potential fires.

"The Honolulu Fire Department is well aware of the fire weather forecasts issued by the National Weather Service," said Capt. Frank Johnson, HFD spokesman.

"We continue to work with other fire service organizations like the state's Division of Forestry and Wildlife to help educate the community on the need for fire prevention, especially during a dry season."

Through June this year, HFD reported 310 fires on O'ahu, compared with 249 for that period in 2006. In June alone, there were 83 fires.

The Fire Department is training firefighters to fight brushfires and is meeting with other agencies to discuss existing mutual aid agreements, coordination of assets and management of logistical needs.