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Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Thursday 2026-07-02 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Thursday morning, and trade winds are easing today before picking back up this weekend. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today.
• 2:08
  Today and Friday stay moderate and dry — lighter winds mean better beach conditions if you're heading out. Leeward shores, especially south and west facing, are your best bet. Any showers will stick to windward mountain slopes. Humidity is dropping, so it'll feel less muggy through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 6 PM today around Maui County and Big Island channels due to strong gusty winds in those waters.
• 2:30
  Surf is moderate on Oʻahu — 4.1 feet on the south shore, 4.3 on the north, both calling for caution around shore break. Maui's calm at 3 feet, great for snorkelers. Big Island is glassy at 1.6 feet. Kauaʻi is rough at 6 feet — strong waves and powerful shore break, so experienced swimmers and surfers only. A south-southwest swell builds Sunday into Monday and will push some beaches near advisory levels.
• 2:50
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has several closures — the Kahuku Unit roads, Kīpukapuaulu Trail due to hazardous trees, and Lava Tube Bridge work are all offline. The park sits on an active volcano, so check ahead if you're planning a Big Island visit. Volcanic ash and eruption activity remain a caution.
• 3:05
  If you're thinking about a Hawaii trip but haven't locked in dates, our new piece on the fall shoulder season — September and October — breaks down why those months hit different. Cheaper hotels, softer airfare, and fall break lands in the sweet spot. The islands are quieter, the crowds thin out, and you save real money. It's a value window if you have any flexibility in when you travel.
• 3:25
  Wednesday and Thursday winds pick up across the islands. By next week, moisture from Tropical Storm Douglas in the eastern Pacific may bring more showers to windward slopes — head over to hawaii-guide dot com slash this-week for what we're tracking.
• 3:37
  If you're heading south and west today, the beach conditions are prime. Talk to you tomorrow.