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Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing — Wednesday 2026-09-16 · Aloha Today — Your Daily Hawaii Briefing

• 0:00
  Aloha. Wednesday morning. Winds are picking up today, and the rain starts rolling in tonight. Here's what's happening in Hawaiʻi.
• 1:46
  Today stays mostly dry on the leeward sides, but windward areas are already catching scattered showers that'll ramp up significantly late tonight. Expect heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms Thursday and Friday, especially if you're planning windward hikes or exploring the mountains — bring indoor backups. Winds are strengthening throughout the week, so secure anything loose. Friday evening clears out, and the weekend looks drier, though it'll stay breezy.
• 2:09
  Surf is small today — the Big Island's nearly glassy at 1.2 feet, Maui's at 2.2, and Oʻahu's running 3.1 to 3.2 depending on the shore. Kauaʻi's the busiest at 3.5. Safe for swimmers and snorkelers, but watch for the occasional larger set. South and east-facing beaches will see that swell building toward the weekend.
• 2:25
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is operating under a Watch alert for Kīlauea. Kīpukapuaulu Trail is closed due to hazardous trees, Hilina Pali Road is under shoulder work through mid-November, and the Sulphur Banks Bridge is closed — though the boardwalk is open. There's volcanic ash in the air near the park, so check current conditions before heading to the Big Island.
• 2:44
  Our recent piece on Kīlauea covers the new vents and what that means for the eruption outlook. HVO's latest report describes possible continuous lava flows, but high fountains haven't started yet — the next phase remains uncertain. If you're planning a Big Island trip and want to see active volcanic activity, that post walks through what's actually happening on the ground right now.
• 3:03
  Thursday and Friday are indoor-activity days if you're on the windward side. Weekend looks drier with moderate winds, though south-facing beaches will be seeing that swell build.
• 3:12
  If Kīlauea is on your Big Island itinerary, check the park alerts before you go. Full forecast is on the site. Talk to you in the morning.