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Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Tuesday 2026-09-08 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Tuesday morning. Hurricane Lowell is moving away from the islands after a dangerous night. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today.
• 2:05
  Lowell's closest approach to Kauaʻi and Niʻihau was overnight — those islands saw the worst of the hurricane-force winds and heavy rain. The rest of the state is still under tropical storm conditions this morning, with damaging surf and gusty winds through the afternoon. Kauaʻi recorded over 17 inches of rain at Mount Waialeale in two days, and 3 to 10 inches fell statewide. Expect another 1 to 5 inches through Wednesday, with the heaviest on Kauaʻi and the Big Island. Flash flooding is a serious threat in saturated areas — avoid flooded crossings and watch for debris on the roads. Conditions ease through Tuesday afternoon as the storm moves away, and normal trade winds return by Thursday.
• 2:40
  The surf is dangerous across the state. Oʻahu north and south shores are at 14-plus feet with powerful shore breaks and rip currents — this is a watch-from-shore day for everyone except expert surfers. Kauaʻi's at 13.6 feet. Maui and the Big Island have large surf too. Stay out of the water unless you're absolutely certain of the conditions.
• 2:57
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is mostly open. The Sulphur Banks Bridge is closed, but the boardwalk is accessible. Kīlauea is at WATCH status after precursor lava overflow began over the weekend — if you're heading to the Big Island, check the park cameras before you drive.
• 3:11
  We posted about Kīlauea Episode 55 and the precursor activity that kicked off last weekend. The volcano is at WATCH level, meaning fountaining could begin in the coming days. If volcano watching is on your Big Island list, the cameras show what's happening in real time — and that piece walks you through what you're actually looking at when active precursory activity is underway in the park.
• 3:31
  Today is a stay-indoors day if you can swing it — the storm brings damaging conditions through this afternoon. By Wednesday the rain eases, and Thursday into the weekend clears back to normal trade winds and drier skies.
• 3:42
  Drive safe out there if you have to travel. Check back when the weather turns.