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Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Wednesday 2026-09-02 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Wednesday morning. Strong winds are moving in across most of the islands, and two hurricanes are being tracked. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today.
• 2:01
  A Wind Advisory is in effect for Maui County and the Big Island from noon through Friday morning — gusts over 50 mph are possible in exposed areas. Kauaʻi and Oʻahu will see increased winds, but not as severe. Hurricane Lowell is sitting about 400 miles south of the islands right now and driving this. Expect typical trade wind showers on windward slopes overnight and early morning. A second hurricane, Karina, is far to the east but approaching for the weekend — that system will ease the strong winds by early next week.
• 2:28
  South shores are elevated near advisory levels through Thursday — Waikiki is at 4.5 feet, Waimea on the north shore at 4.8 feet. Both are moderate and rough in less protected spots. Kauaʻi's Hanalei is already at 6.3 feet — that's large surf, experienced swimmers and surfers only. The Big Island is calm at 1.6 feet, and Maui sits at small 3.4-foot surf. East-facing shores will gradually build as Karina closes in, possibly hitting advisory levels by the weekend.
• 2:51
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is mostly open, with the Kahuku Unit reopening Thursday. The Sulphur Banks Bridge is closed, but the boardwalk is open. If you're heading to the park, be ready for volcanic ash — bring protection for your eyes and lungs.
• 3:04
  If you're planning a Big Island trip and thinking ahead to January, our Volcano Awareness Month guide walks through what to expect from Kīlauea and how to time your visit around park access and conditions. But if you're heading to the park this week, the strong winds today make windward hikes rough going — save those for Friday or the weekend when Lowell moves past.
• 3:22
  The rest of the week stays unsettled. Thursday the winds ease slightly, but east-facing shores keep building through the weekend as Karina moves closer. Labor Day weekend is still in flux depending on how both storms track.
• 3:33
  Stay safe in the wind. Talk to you tomorrow.