Latest / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Monday 2026-08-03
Transcript
- 0:00Aloha. Monday morning in Hawaiʻi. I'm Mele — here's what's happening across the islands today.
- 1:44Trade winds are backing off this week as a low-pressure area moves away. You'll notice gentler breezes than usual. Windward sides and higher elevations will see scattered showers, but leeward areas — especially on Maui and the Big Island — stay mostly dry. East-facing beaches are still choppy from fading swell, while south shores are calm. Good visibility, good flying weather.
- 2:03Surf is small across most of the islands. Waikīkī is running 3.9 feet — comfortable for swimmers. Kāʻanapali on Maui is even calmer at 2.8 feet, and Hapuna on the Big Island is glassy at 1.3 feet. Hanalei on Kauaʻi is the exception — 6.2 feet and rough. That's experienced swimmers and surfers only today.
- 2:18Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has several trails closed right now — Sulfur Banks, Kīpukapuaulu, and the Lava Tube Bridge is under repair. The park is open, but check ahead on which sections match your itinerary. Kīlauea is at advisory status, so you might see volcanic ash near the summit.
- 2:33If you're planning a snorkel tour this week, our new piece on marine naturalist guides walks through what to actually ask before you book. Not every tour comes with someone who can teach you what you're looking at. The piece covers how to read listings, what questions matter on the phone, and what a real reef briefing sounds like — so you know whether you're getting an educator or just a boat captain.
- 2:53Wednesday winds pick up a bit, Thursday stays scattered, and Friday high pressure rebuilds — normal trade-wind pattern returns for the weekend.
- 3:00If you're heading to a south-shore beach today, it's a good one. Full snorkel guide is on the site. Catch you tomorrow.