Hurricane Kiko Tracker: Category 2 Storm to Kick Up 20-Foot Waves as It Skirts Hawaii – Live Updates

Hurricane Kiko churns northwest of Hawaiʻi this week, sending powerful swells and dangerous rip currents toward every island even as the cyclone steadily loses strength. The National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. HST advisory downgraded Kiko to a Category 1 storm with sustained winds near 85 mph; forecasters expect additional weakening as cooler waters and wind shear take hold. Key Points • Track & Intensity: Latest model consensus keeps Kiko 250-300 miles north of Kauaʻi late Tuesday, bending westward by Wednesday and sliding into the open Pacific. Direct landfall is no longer anticipated, but Kiko’s expansive wind field will brush the state. • High-Surf Warning: North- and west-facing shores of Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Maui can expect 15-22 ft sets through Wednesday; select outer reefs may see occasional 25 ft faces, the National Weather Service said. • Coastal Hazards: Life-threatening rip currents, coastal flooding at high tide, and overwash on low-lying roads are likely. Beach closures are possible across the state’s most popular north shore breaks. • Rain & Wind: Enhanced moisture bands could spark brief downpours producing 1-3 inches of rain, mainly across windward slopes. Gusts may top 35 mph in exposed coastal areas but should remain below tropical-storm force for most communities. • Airline & Cruise Impact: Hawaiian Airlines advises passengers traveling through Wednesday to rebook without fees, while Norwe­gian Cruise Line has rerouted Pride of America south of the archipelago to avoid high seas. • Surf Outlook Beyond Midweek: As Kiko moves west, northwest swell will ease, but a fresh trade-wind swell will quickly fill in. Surfers should expect rough, crossed-up conditions through the weekend. What to Do Now 1. Avoid entering the ocean on north and west exposures until warnings are lifted. 2. Secure loose outdoor items; lightweight furniture can become airborne in 30 mph gusts. 3. Monitor official updates from the National Weather Service Honolulu office and local Civil Defense bulletins. 4. If you live in a low-lying coastal zone, have an evacuation plan in case of overnight flooding. Outlook & Climate Context Kiko is the fourth named storm in the central Pacific this season, a tally running slightly above the 30-year average. While El Niño years often bring stronger hurricanes to Hawaiʻi, cool sea-surface anomalies along Kiko’s current track are helping to sap its power. Stay with us for live radar loops, satellite imagery and real-time surf heights as Hurricane Kiko glides past Hawaiʻi—your one-stop hub for forecast maps, preparedness tips and expert analysis.