Latest / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Friday 2026-10-16
Transcript
- 0:00Aloha. Friday morning in Hawaiʻi. I'm Mele with what's happening today across the islands.
- 1:45Moderate to breezy easterly winds are moving in, with scattered showers hitting windward areas and inland slopes overnight and early morning. If you're heading out this morning, leeward shores and south-facing coasts will stay drier — sunrise hikes on the leeward side are your move. The wettest pulse arrives late Sunday into Monday.
- 2:02Surf is elevated across most shores today. Oʻahu's north and south shores are running moderate at 5.1 and 4.8 feet — watch for shore break and rip currents if you're swimming. Kauaʻi's Hanalei is hitting 6 feet, large and powerful — experienced swimmers and surfers only. Maui and the Big Island are running smaller and calmer, better for families and snorkelers right now.
- 2:20A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Saturday evening around the Big Island and Maui. At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and Byron Ledge are closed for safety, and the Keanakākoʻi side is closed due to volcanic unrest. If you're driving up to the park, protect yourself from volcanic ash and check the NPS site for current trail status before you go.
- 2:39Aloha Tower's observation deck just reopened after five years, and it's free to visit. If you're planning a downtown Honolulu day, our new piece covers what to expect — daily hours, parking tips, and future work closures that might affect your trip. It's a solid 10-minute stop if you're already downtown, and the 14th-floor views are worth the climb.
- 2:57Through the weekend, expect breezy trade winds to hold steady. Wednesday looks similar, but by mid-week a system moving in from the west could bring heavier rain — though details are still coming together.
- 3:07Grab our Aloha Tower guide if you're headed downtown. See you tomorrow.