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Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Monday 2026-09-21 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Monday morning. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today — a tropical system is organizing southeast of the islands and expected to reach us by midweek.
• 1:47
  Today, conditions are mostly sunny to partly cloudy with light trade winds. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for Maui County and Big Island waters through tomorrow evening, so if you're on the water, be cautious. Winds will ease slightly through midweek before picking back up as the system approaches.
• 2:03
  Surf-wise, Oʻahu's south shore is at 5.1 feet and Kauaʻi's north shore is at 5.6 feet — both moderate, so watch for rip currents and shore break. Maui's more manageable at 3.5 feet, comfortable for swimmers. The Big Island is glassy at 1.6 feet — calm water if you're heading there today.
• 2:17
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is operating with some closures. Kīpukapuaulu Trail is closed due to hazardous trees, and the Sulphur Banks Bridge is down — though the boardwalk is still accessible. The volcano itself is at Watch level, meaning Kīlauea remains under close observation. Volcanic ash is a concern near the summit area.
• 2:34
  The big weather story this week is the tropical system moving in from the southeast. Heavy rain is possible on the Big Island, especially around Hilo and Puna, Thursday through Saturday. There's significant uncertainty about how long the rain lasts — forecasts range from a quick 24-hour soaking to a multi-day event. A Flood Watch for the Big Island and possibly Maui will likely be issued in the coming days. If you're traveling to the Big Island, start tracking updates and have backup plans for outdoor activities.
• 3:00
  Wednesday through the weekend will bring stronger winds and increasing swell, especially on north and west shores. That tropical system is the main driver of the week ahead.
• 3:09
  Our Kīlauea inflation update is on the site if you're heading to the Big Island. Talk to you tomorrow.