UPDATE: Coastal flood statement extended again; high surf advisory issued for eastern shores of Kauaʻi

Update No. 2 at 9:04 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026: A coastal flooding statement issued toward the end of last week will remain in effect through late tonight, according to National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu, as peak monthly tides continue to combine with higher-than-normal water levels.

Minor flooding can still be expected around the daily peak high tides, which happen in the early morning hours, along shorelines and in low-lying coastal areas.

Flooding is especially possible along northern low-lying coastal areas exposed to a northerly swell.

There is a potential for flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation.

The public is advised to:

• Avoid driving through flooded roadways. If you are forced to drive through salt water, be sure to rinse your vehicle with fresh water as soon as possible.
• Move electronics, vehicles and other valuables to higher ground.
• Monitor vessels to ensure mooring lines don’t get too tight and watch out for overwash around boat ramps.
• Secure canoes or other watercraft stowed on beaches.

Coastal flooding photos can also be submitted to Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project.

Update at 7:20 a.m. Jan. 2: Isolated coastal flooding is expected to continue through late Saturday night.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the flooding is a result of peak monthly high tides combined with water levels running higher than predicted. Minor flooding may occur along the shoreline and in low-lying coastal areas.

Minor coastal flooding is most likely to occur around the daily peak high tides, which typically happen in the early morning hours.

Update at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31: The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood statement for vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure of all islands through Friday night.

Peak monthly high tides combined with water levels running higher than predicted will lead to minor flooding along the shoreline and in low-lying coastal areas of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Coastal flooding is most likely around the daily peak high tides, which will occur a couple hours after midnight, and could cause flooding of beaches that are normally dry with minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation.

Take precautions by avoiding driving through flooded roadways, if driving through salt water is unavoidable, rinse the vehicle with fresh water. Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground.

Monitor vessels to ensure mooring lines don’t get too tight and watch out for overwash around boat ramps. Secure canoes or other watercraft stowed on beaches.

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program’s Hawaii and Pacific Islands King Tides Project is collecting coastal flooding photos. For those interested in sharing, send the photos to pacificislandskingtides.org.

Update at 6:24 a.m. Dec. 31, 2025: The high surf advisory for north and west-facing shores of Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i was extended until 6 p.m. today.

Overlapping, medium-period northwest and north-northwest swells will maintain advisory-level surf with little change through Wednesday evening (Dec. 31).

Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Honolulu report large breaking waves of 10 to 16 feet along northern shorelines and 8 to 12 feet along western shorelines will persist.

Strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous in the advisory areas.

The public is reminded to heed all advice from ocean safety officials — when in doubt, don`t
go out.

Surf is expected to decline through Friday.

Original story published at 7:55 a.m. Dec. 29, 2025: A high surf advisory was issued for north- and west-facing shores of Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i as a large, medium-period northwest (330-340 degree) swell begins to fill in today.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, that swell will be followed by an overlapping long-period north-northwest (350-degree) swell that will build tonight into Tuesday.

Surf heights of up to 10 to 15 feet are expected along north-facing shores today, building to 12 to 16 feet on Tuesday. Surf heights of 8 to 12 feet along west-facing shores are expected.

The advisory is slated to last until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The surf is expected to have moderate impacts. Strong breaking waves and currents will make swimming dangerous.