As the weekend unfolds, the Aloha State is under a multi-layered weather watch. Hurricane Nolo classified as a Category 2 storm, is tracking about 200 miles south of South Point on the Big Island and moving westward at roughly 9 mph. With sustained winds of 105 mph, the system is expected to remain south of the main islands but its outer rain bands are already delivering heavy showers and gusty breezes to Hawai‘i Island and Maui.
Storm landscape: Nolo and its Pacific companions
While Nolo re-intensified overnight after a brief dip to Category 1 on Saturday, forecasters anticipate further strengthening before it turns westward. A high-wind warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday for parts of Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, especially the western side of Maui. A flood watch also persists for the Big Island through Sunday night.
Hawaii is not the only region facing tropical threats. The Pacific currently hosts three hurricanes: Hurricane Polo a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, is expected to brush Baja California Sur with tropical-storm conditions by Sunday night or early Monday; Hurricane Odalys has weakened to Category 1 with 75 mph winds and is projected to turn south and dissipate later on Sunday. The last triple-hurricane occurrence in the Pacific dates back to 2015.
Local impacts on the Big Island and emergency response
Mayor Kimo Alameda has sounded the alarm for residents of Hawai‘i Island, noting that heavy rain continues to produce localized flooding. Roadways in Waiʻōhinu and Nāʻālehu are closed, and minor inundation was observed at Piʻihonua Bridge in Hilo. The mayor warned that 6-8 inches of rain in Kaʻū could quickly become hazardous, urging the public to stay vigilant.
Beyond the rain, officials are monitoring a volcanic development at Kilauea. Alameda described the potential for “volcanic hail” – tephra that could be lofted up to a thousand feet and carried by wind into communities, contaminating water catchment tanks, swimming pools and roadways. “If that tephra … got into our catchment tank, it impacts our water,” he said, emphasizing the thin margin between a weather event and a volcanic emergency.
These concerns come on the heels of a tumultuous 2026, when four natural disasters, including Hurricane Lala that struck six weeks earlier, have already cost the state roughly one billion dollars to recover from, according to Governor Josh Green. Despite the strain, Alameda praised community resilience, noting that shared hardships are fostering a spirit of cooperation.
County operations and public safety measures
Hawai‘i County announced it will resume normal services on Sunday, reopening solid-waste facilities and parks. Public transit routes—bus lines 11, 40, 101, 201, 202, 204, and 401—are set to run as scheduled, and paratransit services will also return to normal. Alameda reiterated that first-responders remain on standby, ready to address any emerging issues as the storm moves farther away.
Power outages, brush fire and infrastructure updates on Maui
Across the channel, more than 12 000 Maui customers remain without electricity as of early Sunday morning. The outages, concentrated in West Maui, Haʻikū and Upcountry, stem from a brush fire in Olowalu that forced de-energization of power lines. Hawaiian Electric (HECO) confirmed the situation is not a Public Safety Power Shutoff, but the utility is keeping its PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) on watch, meaning a proactive shutdown could occur if wind, dryness and low humidity intensify.
Residents are advised to prepare for extended outages. HECO’s crews are deploying ground teams, helicopters and drones once conditions improve, aiming to inspect and repair the network during daylight hours.
The brush fire has also prompted the Lahaina Civic Center Gym to serve as an emergency shelter for displaced Olowalu residents. The facility offers charging stations, though occupants are asked to bring personal bedding, food and water. The evacuation order for the area between Luawai Street and Ehehene Street remains in effect, and Honoapiʻilani Highway stays closed between North Kīhei Road and Olowalu General Store.
Additional infrastructure concerns include a landslide that blocked the Hana Highway near mile marker 13 and debris-induced closure of Māmalahoa Highway (Route 11) in Waiʻōhinu. Transportation crews are actively clearing the affected routes, but drivers are urged to exercise caution as work continues.
Authorities remain on high alert, emphasizing preparedness and community cooperation as the state navigates back-to-back natural challenges.
