Tropical Storm Moke Is Near Hawaii, but the Biggest Travel Risk Is on One Island

Hawaii travel news can change quickly. Always confirm current details with official sources before making travel plans.

Another tropical storm is approaching Hawaiʻi just days after Hurricane Lala caused major flooding and damage across parts of the state.

But if you have an upcoming Hawaiʻi trip, the most important thing to know is this:

Tropical Storm Moke is not expected to affect every island the same way.

Moke is forecast to pass south of the Hawaiian Islands, although rain, wind and ocean impacts will extend well beyond the center of the storm.

The greatest concern is Hawaiʻi Island, where the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.

Forecasters expect 5 to 10 inches of rain along windward and southeast slopes of the Big Island, with isolated totals up to 15 inches.

That rain is arriving on ground that is still saturated from Hurricane Lala, which means it may take less rainfall than usual to cause flash flooding.

For Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, impacts are currently expected to be more limited, although periods of rain, gusty winds and rough ocean conditions are still possible.

Here’s what travelers need to know.

Tropical Storm Moke: The Latest

As of Saturday afternoon, Tropical Storm Moke continued moving west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center continues to forecast Moke passing south of Hawaiʻi Island and the rest of the island chain, rather than making a direct track over the islands.

But a storm does not have to make landfall to cause problems.

The National Weather Service says Moke will bring periods of rain to all of the islands from late Saturday through Monday, with the heaviest rainfall expected along the windward and southeast slopes of Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island).

There is currently no Tropical Storm Warning for land areas of the Hawaiian Islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning does apply to portions of the offshore Hawaiian waters. Closer to the islands, Small Craft Advisories are in effect for many coastal waters as winds and seas increase.

For visitors on land, the alerts that matter most right now include the Big Island Flood Watch and Wind Advisories covering portions of Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County.

Hawaiʻi Island Has the Highest Risk

If you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island this weekend, this is the island to watch most closely.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch across Hawaiʻi Island from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.

The greatest concern is along the island’s windward and southeast slopes, where forecasters expect 5 to 10 inches of rain with isolated totals up to 15 inches.

That includes areas where heavy rain commonly affects travel around eastern and southeastern Hawaiʻi Island, including the Puna and Kaʻū districts.

And the amount of rain is only part of the concern.

The National Weather Service says the ground remains saturated from recent heavy rainfall, meaning it may not take much additional rain to produce flash flooding.

That could lead to:

• Flooded roads
• Rapidly rising streams
• Mudslides or debris on roads
• Temporary road closures
• Changes to tours and outdoor activities
• Reduced visibility while driving

Conditions could vary dramatically depending on where you are staying.

The Kona side of the island may look very different from Hilo, Puna or Kaʻū during the same period, so travelers should check conditions for the specific part of the island they plan to visit.

Why Hurricane Lala Makes Moke More Concerning

This is what makes Moke different from a typical tropical storm passing south of Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Island is still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which brought serious flooding, landslides and road damage to parts of the island just days ago.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is still repairing Māmalahoa Highway, or Route 11, through Kaʻū following damage from Lala.

As of August 21, HDOT was asking travelers to limit nonessential travel between Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu, from approximately milepost 49 to 69.5, while repair work continues.

Two major repair areas are near Pāhala Hospital and Nāʻālehu Cemetery.

HDOT also says crews across the islands have been clearing vegetation, debris, streams and saturated hillsides ahead of the additional rain expected from Moke.

So even though Moke is forecast to remain south of the islands, another round of heavy rainfall could create problems more easily because some areas have not had time to fully recover or dry out after Lala.

Should You Cancel a Hawaiʻi Island Trip?

There is currently no statewide recommendation for travelers to cancel Hawaiʻi trips because of Moke.

But if you’re on Hawaiʻi Island from Saturday night through Monday, especially on the windward or southeast side, you should be prepared to change plans based on local conditions.

This probably isn’t the best time to lock yourself into an itinerary filled with:

• Long drives around the island
• Waterfall hikes
• Remote trails
• Stream crossings
• Activities in flood-prone valleys
• Unnecessary travel through areas still under repair

If a road closes, a tour operator cancels, or local officials tell people to avoid an area, change your plans.

Don’t try to work around the closure because your itinerary says you need to be somewhere.

The best approach is flexibility.

What About Maui?

Maui’s flooding risk currently appears lower than Hawaiʻi Island’s, but that does not mean Maui will have perfect weather.

The National Weather Service expects rain to increase as Moke passes south of the state, particularly on windward areas.

Eastern Maui could receive a few inches of rain, with isolated totals approaching 4 inches in some areas.

Parts of Maui County are also under a Wind Advisory through Sunday evening, with stronger winds possible in exposed areas and locations downwind of mountains.

If you’re visiting Maui, I would keep outdoor plans flexible, especially if you’re planning to drive toward Hāna or spend time on windward slopes.

There is also an existing travel issue worth knowing about if Haleakalā is in your plans.

HDOT says Crater Road remains closed to the public beginning near milepost 2.5 while cleanup and repairs from Lala continue.

Check the latest road and park status before heading toward Haleakalā.

What About Oʻahu?

Oʻahu is expected to remain well north of Moke’s center.

Rain is still possible as tropical moisture spreads across the island chain, and winds could become stronger and gustier.

But at the time of publication, the National Weather Service expects Hawaiʻi Island to receive the much heavier rainfall totals, while the remaining islands generally receive considerably less.

So if you’re heading to Waikīkī, Ko Olina, the North Shore or elsewhere on Oʻahu, there is currently no reason to assume your entire trip will be disrupted because of Moke.

That said, weather in Hawaiʻi is very localized.

A storm passing south of the state could still bring periods of rain or rough ocean conditions to individual parts of Oʻahu.

Check conditions before heading out for the day rather than relying on a statewide weather icon.

What About Kauaʻi?

Kauaʻi is also expected to remain well north of Moke’s center.

The island could see periods of showers and breezy trade winds as moisture moves across the state, but current forecasts show a much more limited flooding threat than Hawaiʻi Island.

There is currently no reason for Kauaʻi travelers to cancel a trip solely because Tropical Storm Moke is passing south of Hawaiʻi.

As always, check local conditions before hiking, visiting beaches or driving into areas where heavy rain could affect streams or roads.

Are Flights Being Canceled?

There is currently no indication that travelers should expect widespread flight cancellations across Hawaiʻi because of Moke.

But individual delays or cancellations are still possible as weather conditions change.

This is especially important for people flying into or out of Hawaiʻi Island.

The National Weather Service says heavier rainfall could reduce visibility and bring lower cloud ceilings across the Big Island beginning Saturday night into Sunday.

HDOT says crews at both Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport have inspected drainage systems, trimmed trees, secured equipment and prepared emergency generators ahead of Moke.

If you’re flying this weekend:

1. Check your flight directly with your airline.
2. Turn on airline notifications.
3. Check again before leaving for the airport.
4. Allow additional time if conditions deteriorate.
5. Don’t assume someone else’s canceled flight means yours will also be canceled.

Flight disruptions can vary significantly by airport, airline and departure time.

What About Beaches and Ocean Conditions?

Ocean conditions are another part of this storm travelers shouldn’t ignore.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for portions of the southern offshore Hawaiian waters, and Small Craft Advisories cover many waters closer to the islands.

The National Weather Service also expects surf along east and southeast-facing shores to increase as Moke passes south of the islands.

For visitors, the takeaway is simple:

If lifeguards close a beach, warn swimmers to stay out, or conditions look significantly rougher than normal, don’t go into the water.

A tropical storm does not need to pass directly over your island to create dangerous surf, currents or marine conditions.

What Travelers Should Do Right Now

If you’re already in Hawaiʻi, you don’t need to spend your entire trip refreshing weather apps.

But you should check conditions before heading out, especially on Hawaiʻi Island.

If you’re on the Big Island this weekend:

• Keep Sunday and Monday plans flexible.
• Check road conditions before long drives.
• Avoid flooded roads.
• Never drive around barricades or road closures.
• Be cautious around streams, waterfalls and valleys during heavy rain.
• Confirm tours directly with the operator.
• Monitor your airline before heading to the airport.
• Pay attention to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and National Weather Service alerts.

And keep in mind that weather in Hawaiʻi can be extremely localized.

One part of an island can be experiencing heavy rain while another remains relatively dry.

When Will Conditions Improve?

The National Weather Service expects periods of Moke-related rainfall across the islands through Monday.

Forecasters currently expect drier trade-wind weather to begin returning Tuesday, although some leftover moisture and instability could still produce showers, particularly around Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

By Wednesday, the forecast currently shows more typical trade-wind weather returning as Moke moves farther west and away from the islands.

Because this is an active tropical system, that timing can change.

Bottom Line

If you’re traveling to Hawaiʻi this weekend, Hawaiʻi Island is where Tropical Storm Moke is most likely to affect travel plans.

The National Weather Service expects 5 to 10 inches of rain along windward and southeast slopes of the Big Island, with isolated totals up to 15 inches.

Because the ground is still saturated from Hurricane Lala, flooding could develop more easily than it normally would.

Maui may see several inches of rain in some windward areas along with gusty winds, but the current flooding threat is lower than Hawaiʻi Island’s.

Oʻahu and Kauaʻi could also see periods of rain and breezy conditions, but current forecasts show substantially lower impacts.

The best move right now is straightforward:

Don’t panic about a statewide shutdown, but stay flexible and pay attention to conditions on the specific island and part of the island you’re visiting.

FAQs

Is Tropical Storm Moke going to hit Hawaii?

Tropical Storm Moke is currently forecast to pass south of the Hawaiian Islands rather than directly over them. However, rain, wind and ocean impacts can extend well beyond the storm’s center, especially on Hawaiʻi Island.

Which Hawaiian island will be most affected by Tropical Storm Moke?

Hawaiʻi Island, also known as the Big Island, currently faces the greatest risk. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch, with the heaviest rain expected along windward and southeast areas of the island.

How much rain could Tropical Storm Moke bring to the Big Island?

The National Weather Service forecasts 5 to 10 inches of rain along windward and southeast slopes of Hawaiʻi Island, with isolated totals up to 15 inches.

Should I cancel my Hawaii trip because of Tropical Storm Moke?

There is currently no statewide recommendation for travelers to cancel Hawaii trips because of Moke. Travelers on Hawaiʻi Island should keep plans flexible and be prepared for possible flooding, road closures, tour changes and flight disruptions.

Will Tropical Storm Moke affect Maui?

Maui could see periods of heavy rain and gusty winds, especially in windward areas. The flooding threat currently appears lower than on Hawaiʻi Island, but travelers should continue monitoring local conditions.

Will Tropical Storm Moke affect Oahu?

Oʻahu is expected to remain well north of Moke’s center. Rain, gusty winds and rougher ocean conditions are possible, but current forecasts show a much lower flooding threat than on Hawaiʻi Island.

Will Tropical Storm Moke affect Kauai?

Kauaʻi is also expected to remain well north of Moke. Some showers and breezy conditions are possible, but the current flooding threat is limited compared with Hawaiʻi Island.

Are flights being canceled because of Tropical Storm Moke?

There is currently no indication of widespread flight cancellations across Hawaiʻi. Individual delays or cancellations are still possible, especially if conditions worsen around Hawaiʻi Island. Travelers should check directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

Is there a Tropical Storm Warning for Hawaii?

There is currently no Tropical Storm Warning for land areas of the Hawaiian Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for portions of the southern offshore Hawaiian waters. Other land-based alerts, including a Flood Watch and Wind Advisories, are in effect in some areas.

When will Tropical Storm Moke move away from Hawaii?

Current forecasts expect Moke-related rain to continue through Monday, with drier trade-wind weather beginning to return Tuesday. Because Moke is an active tropical system, that timing could change.

Sources

• National Weather Service Honolulu – Area Forecast Discussion
  Best for the latest rainfall, wind, island-by-island impacts, and timing.
  NWS Honolulu Area Forecast Discussion

• Central Pacific Hurricane Center / National Hurricane Center – Tropical Storm Moke Advisories
  Best for the official storm track, intensity, movement, and forecast cone.
  CPHC Tropical Cyclone Advisories

• Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation – Moke Preparations and Road Updates
  Best for Route 11, airport preparation, and transportation impacts.
  HDOT Tropical Storm Moke Preparations

• Hawaiʻi County – Emergency and Recovery Updates
  Best for Big Island flooding, local conditions, closures, and Lala recovery context.
  Hawaiʻi County News and Emergecy Updates

• Associated Press – Tropical Storm Moke Coverage
  Useful as a readable secondary source for broader context and what travelers are hearing in national news.
  AP: Tropical Storm Moke Advances Toward Hawaii