Latest / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing / Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Friday 2026-08-21
Transcript
- 0:00Aloha. Friday morning — Statehood Day here in Hawaiʻi, marking 67 years since the islands became the 50th state. What's happening today across the islands.
- 1:34Today itself is calm and muggy, with light winds and maybe a few afternoon showers on the leeward side. Dew points are in the low 70s, so it'll feel sticky.
- 1:42Surf today is small and comfortable — 3 feet on Oʻahu's shores, 2.3 on Maui, 1.4 on the Big Island. Kauaʻi's at 4.4 feet with some shore break, but otherwise it's a solid swim day before the weather shifts.
- 1:52Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is closing by 5 p.m. today ahead of an incoming storm system. Kīlauea is currently erupting, and volcanic ash is present in the park. The rest of the islands are operating normally.
- 2:03If you're planning a holiday trip, our guide on the Geminid meteor shower peaks mid-December and covers the best viewing spots across the islands. We've also got timing tips for booking rental cars before the December surge hits — rates tighten up fast around Christmas. Both pieces walk you through what's worth planning ahead for.
- 2:19The weekend is the main story. A tropical system passes south of the islands Saturday night through Monday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain — especially to windward and southeast sides of the Big Island. Puna and Kaʻū could see 5 to 10 inches. A Flood Watch is active for the Big Island starting late Saturday night.
- 2:36Enjoy the calm today, and if you're on the Big Island, get ahead of that rain. Catch you tomorrow.