Latest / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Monday 2026-10-12

Transcript

Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Monday 2026-10-12 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Monday morning — Indigenous Peoples' Day. Hawaiʻi has historically called it Discoverers' Day, though state offices stay open today. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today.
• 1:58
  Today starts calm — light winds, mix of sun and clouds, just scattered showers. Tonight into Tuesday morning, a band of moisture pushes in from the east, so expect showers ramping up on the windward side, especially the Big Island and Maui. North and east-facing slopes will catch the most rain. If you're heading windward, plan something indoors. By Wednesday, trade winds pick back up and things settle.
• 2:19
  South shore is running small — 3.9 feet at Waikīkī, comfortable for swimmers and beginners. North shore sits at 4 feet today, moderate conditions, so watch for shore break and rip currents. If you're on Kauaʻi, Hanalei is 4.5 feet, also moderate. Big Island is glassy at 1.9 feet. Maui clocks in at 3 feet.
• 2:34
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has several closures in place right now due to activity on the Big Island. Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, part of Byron Ledge Trail, and the Keanakākoʻi side of Kīlauea are all closed. Kīpukapuaulu Trail is closed too — hazardous trees and hanging limbs. Check before you head out.
• 2:49
  If you're booking a boat tour this week, check your backup date. Our piece on Hawaiʻi boat tour cancellation windows looks at what happens when another booking's deadline expires — and whether you actually have a usable backup day left. The worked example walks you through the timing. It's the kind of detail that saves your itinerary if plans shift.
• 3:07
  Winds strengthen noticeably by the weekend, so secure any loose items if you're renting a car. Another batch of moisture may move in late week, bringing another round of showers to windward and mountain areas.
• 3:17
  If you're landing on the Big Island or Maui this week, our piece on Hilo rainfall breaks down rainy days versus rainfall totals — a useful read before you plan around the windward side. Full piece is on the site. Talk to you tomorrow.