Hawaii Flood Watch April 2026: What Visitors Need to Know

HAWAII – A statewide flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Friday afternoon, April 10. If you’re in Hawaii right now or flying in this week, your trip doesn’t have to be over.

But you need to stay informed, stay flexible, and make smart decisions before heading out each day.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s Happening Right Now

The National Weather Service issued a statewide flood watch covering every island from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon, April 10. A low-pressure system west of the islands is pulling deep tropical moisture northward, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding potential statewide.

This isn’t a typical Hawaii rain shower. This is the third significant storm system to hit Hawaii since mid-March.

The second triggered the state’s worst flooding in 20 years, and many areas are still recovering.

That matters because the islands are saturated from the March storms.

Ground that absorbed that earlier rainfall has less capacity to absorb more water, which means runoff happens faster and flash flooding triggers more easily.

Every inch of rain right now hits harder than it normally would.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi put it plainly at a news conference: “Every inch of rain, as far as we’re concerned, now is more than an inch of rain. It just compounds itself.”

Island-by-Island: What to Expect

Conditions vary by island, so here’s a quick breakdown of where the risks are highest.

Kauai is expected to see the heaviest rainfall totals of this system, as the storm moves in from the west. North Shore and mountain areas are most vulnerable to flash flooding.

The Kalalau Trail and Waimea Canyon roads may close on short notice, so check DLNR State Parks before heading out.

Oahu is bracing for the heaviest rain to arrive Thursday. Urban flooding is the primary risk, with significant flooding possible along Honolulu’s south corridors and the H-1 highway.

Honolulu activated its Emergency Operations Center and deployed first responders to vulnerable areas ahead of the storm.

Maui is already feeling it. East Maui and the Road to Hana are the weak spots. Water over Hana Highway has already been reported near Hamoa.

If you have a Hana drive planned for Thursday or Friday, postpone it. West Maui resort areas typically fare better during these systems but are not immune.

The Big Island is seeing significant rain on the Hilo side. Through the weekend, more than a foot of rain is forecast across portions of the Big Island.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains open, but conditions near the summit can change quickly, especially with Kīlauea’s Episode 44 lava fountaining still in the forecast window through April 15.

How This Affects Flights, Roads, and Activities

Flights: Check your airline for delays or gate changes before heading to the airport.

HDOT advises travelers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure to allow enough time to park, check in, and clear security. Interisland travel may be particularly affected through Thursday.

Roads: The NWS warns of possible road closures, property damage in low-lying areas, and landslides in steep terrain. The HDOT weather traffic alerts page (hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic) is the most reliable real-time source for road closures statewide.

Do not drive through floodwaters. As little as one foot of moving water can carry away a small car.

Outdoor activities: Hiking trails on all islands are at risk of flash flooding and closures. Ocean conditions are also deteriorating.

A statewide small craft advisory is in effect, with a gale watch for waters around Kauaʻi and Oʻahu as winds strengthen. Hold off on snorkeling, kayaking, or any open-water activities until conditions improve.

What to Do If You’re There or Flying In This Week

The most important thing you can do is check conditions every morning before you leave your hotel or rental.

A few resources to bookmark right now:

• National Weather Service Honolulu: forecast.weather.gov — active watches, warnings, and flash flood alerts by island
• HDOT Weather Traffic Alerts: hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic — real-time road closures statewide
• Hawaii Emergency Management Agency: dod.hawaii.gov/hiema — evacuation orders and shelter locations
• Your airline’s app for real-time flight status and rebooking options

The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for the U.S., urging caution for travelers in Hawaii and noting that flood warnings and evacuation orders could be issued on short notice. Regardless of where you’re from, that’s good advice for everyone this week.

If you’re flying in Thursday or Friday, consider whether your first-day plans can shift to lower-risk activities.

A resort pool, an indoor cultural experience, or a local restaurant is a much better call than a long scenic drive or a hike right now.

[INTERNAL SOURCE: Guide to rainy day activities in Hawaii]

What This Means for Your Hawaii Trip

Here’s the honest take: this storm will pass.

By the weekend, the system is forecast to move away and trade winds should return. Conditions are expected to improve significantly by Saturday.

If you’re a local, you know the drill. Stay off flooded roads, check on neighbors, and give the North Shore and East Maui areas a few days to recover before heading out to check on favorite spots.

If you’re a visitor with time remaining on your trip, the rain is not a reason to go home early.

Adjust your Thursday and Friday plans, keep Saturday and beyond open for beaches and outdoor adventures, and stay connected to local weather updates. Hawaii’s beauty doesn’t disappear in the rain.

The waterfalls will be spectacular this weekend.

And if you’re planning a future Hawaii trip and wondering whether to worry about this kind of weather: spring in Hawaii, especially March through April, carries a higher chance of these systems.

Build flexibility into your itinerary, consider travel insurance that covers weather disruptions, and know that the trade winds and the sunshine always come back.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The flood watch covers every island through Friday, April 10. This is a statewide event, and the saturated ground from March’s historic storms means flooding triggers faster and harder than normal.
• Kauai and the Big Island face the heaviest rainfall totals this round. East Maui’s Road to Hana should be avoided Thursday and Friday. Oahu’s urban corridors and the H-1 are the primary risk on that island.
• Do not drive through floodwaters. Even one foot of moving water is enough to carry away a small vehicle. Check HDOT’s weather traffic page (hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic) before any road trip.
• Conditions are expected to improve significantly by Saturday. If you’re mid-trip, adjust Thursday and Friday plans to lower-risk activities and save the beaches and hikes for the weekend.
• Bookmark these three resources now: NWS Honolulu (forecast.weather.gov), HDOT traffic alerts (hidot.hawaii.gov/weather-traffic), and Hawaii Emergency Management (dod.hawaii.gov/hiema) for real-time updates on your specific island.