Hurricane Warning for Big Island Hawaii Through August 15: Where to Shelter and What to Protect Before Winds Hit 100 mph

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the following zones across Hawaii’s Big Island: Big Island South, Big Island Summit, Kona, Big Island Southeast, Big Island Interior, Kohala, Big Island North, and Big Island East. The warning was issued by the National Weather Service Honolulu, Hawaii office and became effective at 11:15 AM Hawaii Standard Time on August 15, 2026. It is currently set to expire at 7:15 PM HST on August 15, 2026, though residents should monitor updates, as conditions are actively unfolding. The community of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is among the specific locations identified in the alert.

What the National Weather Service Is Telling Residents to Do Right Now

The National Weather Service is clear: the moment for preparation has passed. According to the official alert, last-minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. If you are in the affected zones and have not yet sheltered, do so immediately. The NWS instruction is direct: “Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind.”

Peak wind forecasts call for sustained speeds of 50 to 65 mph with gusts reaching 100 mph, with tropical storm force winds continuing through Sunday afternoon. The broader threat range, accounting for forecast uncertainty in track, size, and intensity, includes winds of 74 to 110 mph, equivalent to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. The NWS notes the wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment, meaning there is no meaningful improvement expected in the near term. Wind impacts are described as actively unfolding.

On the coast, the storm surge threat is also real. The NWS forecasts a potential for 1 to 3 feet of inundation above ground within surge-prone areas, with the window of concern extending through early Monday morning, August 18. The guidance instructs residents to shelter against storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground and states plainly: all flood preparations should be complete. Expect flooding of low-lying roads and property. Stay away from surge-prone zones entirely.

There is no ambiguity in the official language. The area, per the NWS, remains subject to considerable wind damage. If you are in a structurally sound interior room, stay there. If you are in a mobile or manufactured home, or in a low-lying coastal area, you should have already evacuated to higher ground or a designated shelter. Do not attempt to travel through wind or rising water at this stage.

Connecting This Event to Year-Round Preparedness

Hurricane events in Hawaii, though less frequent than Atlantic basin storms, carry the same fundamental risks: rapid wind damage, storm surge flooding, and extended power outages that can isolate communities for days. At US Risk Radar, our evergreen guidance on hurricane preparedness covers the layered steps that make the difference before an event reaches this stage, including structural sheltering decisions, go-bag readiness, and communication plans for households spread across multiple locations. If you are not currently in the affected zones, this event is a useful prompt to review your own household plan while conditions are calm. The time to act on that guidance is never during the warning itself.

Source: National Weather Service Honolulu, HI. Hurricane Warning issued August 15, 2026, at 11:15 AM HST. Monitor the National Weather Service at weather.gov for real-time updates as this event continues to evolve.

For the fundamentals that apply beyond this specific alert, see our Hurricane Preparedness guide.

Source: National Weather Service (NWS Honolulu HI). Active alert data retrieved 2026-08-15 22:00 UTC via api.weather.gov.