> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Hurricane Nolo Moves Away but Leaves Hawaiʻi Under Hazard Warnings
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/hurricane-nolo-moves-away-hawaii-hazard-warnings/
- Published: 2026-09-27T09:35:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-27T09:35:18.000Z
- Description: Hurricane Nolo moved west of Hawaiʻi, easing the direct strike threat while high winds, dangerous surf, residual flooding and a Maui wildfire kept emergency crews and residents on alert.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: US, Hawaii

Hurricane Nolo was pulling away from Hawaiʻi early Sunday after passing south of the island chain, but the storm’s indirect effects were still producing dangerous wind, surf and localized flooding. The [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/hfo/AFD?ref=theamericanquorum.com) in Honolulu said Nolo was moving west, allowing the immediate tropical-cyclone threat to ease, even as a strong pressure gradient kept hazardous conditions in place across several islands.

## Track shifts west

At 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time Saturday, the hurricane was about 165 miles south-southwest of South Point on Hawaiʻi Island and moving west at roughly 7 knots, according to the Weather Service’s latest [forecast discussion](https://www.weather.gov/hfo/AFD?ref=theamericanquorum.com). Forecasters said Nolo’s turn away from the islands reduced the risk of a direct strike and led them to discontinue the tropical storm warning for Hawaiʻi Island and the tropical storm watch for Maui County.

The change did not amount to an immediate all-clear. Rainbands continued to cross southern Hawaiʻi Island Saturday evening, prompting a flood advisory, while strong trade winds persisted statewide. The Weather Service expected winds to ease later Sunday as Nolo gained distance, but cautioned that moisture trailing the hurricane could raise rain chances over Kauaʻi and Oʻahu from Tuesday into Wednesday.

## Wind remains the main hazard

Strong downslope gusts became the most immediate threat after the storm’s track shifted. The [Honolulu office](https://www.weather.gov/hfo/AFD?ref=theamericanquorum.com) reported gusts near or above 70 mph around Ukumehame, Olowalu and Launiupoko in west Maui, with gusts approaching 60 mph in the Kohala districts of Hawaiʻi Island. High-wind warnings covered exposed parts of Maui County and the Big Island, while a broader wind advisory extended across the state.

The same pressure pattern generated gale conditions over Hawaiian coastal waters. A [marine forecast](https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=phz180&syn=phz105&ref=theamericanquorum.com) issued Saturday evening placed offshore waters under a hurricane warning, with hurricane conditions expected in southern waters and seas of roughly 10 to 15 feet through Sunday. Coastal forecasters also warned that Nolo’s southeast swell and strong easterly winds would keep surf elevated along east-facing shores before conditions gradually diminished.

## Maui fire response

On Maui, the wind threat compounded a wildfire response near Olowalu. The Weather Service said strong trades were able to drive the fire despite relatively high humidity, illustrating how terrain-enhanced gusts could create localized fire danger even after recent rainfall. Maui County’s [incident center](https://www.mauicounty.gov/3231/Current-Incident-Notification-Center?ref=theamericanquorum.com) said temporary evacuation points were opened in Lahaina and South Maui for people affected by the Olowalu fire, while county emergency managers coordinated storm operations.

Officials asked residents to follow emergency alerts, avoid closed areas and remain prepared for sudden changes. Maui County had declared an emergency before Nolo’s arrival, and its Saturday update said public-safety agencies were monitoring both the hurricane and related local incidents. The overlapping hazards underscored that risk depended not only on Nolo’s centerline but also on wind acceleration through valleys and across leeward terrain.

## Federal support was approved

Before the storm’s closest approach, President Donald Trump approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration requested by Gov. Josh Green. The [governor’s office](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-gov-green-announces-approval-of-pre-landfall-presidential-declaration-for-hurricane-nolo/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) said the action authorized federal assistance for emergency protective measures and allowed federal agencies to coordinate disaster-relief support as the state prepared for possible major impacts.

State and county agencies had closed schools and some government operations on Hawaiʻi Island earlier in the week, staged emergency resources and urged residents to monitor official information. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency maintained a central [storm hub](https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) with forecast updates, shelter information, local alerts and infrastructure notices.

## Damage assessment begins

Residents spent Saturday watching a storm that approached closely enough to deliver rain and damaging gusts but ultimately remained offshore. An [Associated Press](https://www.click2houston.com/news/national/2026/09/26/hurricane-nolo-expected-to-unleash-powerful-winds-flash-flooding-on-hawaii/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) report described preparations across Hawaiʻi Island as Nolo churned to the south, with officials warning that flash flooding, extreme surf and dangerous winds could occur well outside the eye.

Emergency managers had not yet issued a complete statewide damage estimate by early Sunday. The most immediate work was to identify blocked roads, utility disruptions, flood damage and fire impacts while keeping crews out of hazardous wind and surf. Because Nolo remained a powerful hurricane over nearby waters, forecasters emphasized that shifts in its track or the trailing moisture band still required monitoring.

## What residents should expect

The near-term forecast called for strong and gusty trades through much of Sunday, lighter rain over most windward slopes and improving conditions on the Big Island. Marine and coastal hazards were expected to linger longer than the direct tropical alerts, especially along exposed shores and offshore waters. People near beaches, steep terrain and burn-prone leeward areas remained most vulnerable to residual effects.

Nolo’s westward departure marked an important improvement, but the episode demonstrated why a hurricane need not make landfall to disrupt Hawaiʻi. The combination of terrain, ocean swell and pressure-driven winds can spread risk far from the cyclone’s center. Officials urged residents to rely on county alerts and Weather Service updates until wind and flood advisories are lifted.