Latest / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Thursday 2026-09-03
Transcript
- 0:00Aloha. Thursday morning. Strong winds are hammering the islands right now, and Hurricane Lowell is taking shape 450 miles south. I'm Mele with what's happening in Hawaiʻi today.
- 1:49Gusty trade winds are running 40–50 mph in exposed spots — ridgelines, passes, lee slopes — and that wind advisory holds through Friday morning. Light showers are scattered on windward and upslope areas overnight and early, but conditions today stay drier than usual. If you're heading into the mountains or across passes, plan around the gusts.
- 2:06Surf is climbing on south and southeast shores. Oʻahu south side is sitting at 5.7 feet, Kauaʻi at 5.8 — moderate conditions with a sharp shore break. The Big Island stays calm at Hapuna. High Surf Advisory runs through tonight, and if you're in the water, watch for rip currents.
- 2:20Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is reopening today. The Kahuku Unit partially comes back online, and most of the main park is already open. Sulphur Banks Bridge is closed but the boardwalk is accessible. Volcanic ash remains a concern if you're visiting the summit area.
- 2:34The bigger story is what's brewing offshore. Hurricane Lowell is 450 miles south and moving west right now, but it could turn north late this weekend and approach the islands early next week. Swells from both Lowell and Hurricane Karina will build over the next few days, and warning-level surf is possible by early next week. This is the time to check the official National Hurricane Center updates daily and have a backup plan in case the track shifts toward the islands.
- 2:57Friday the wind eases slightly, but the swell keeps building through the weekend. By early next week, conditions could shift fast depending on Lowell's track — that's what makes the next few days crucial for monitoring.
- 3:08Keep the National Hurricane Center bookmarked. I'll be tracking this with you tomorrow.