Special Marine Warning Issued for Maui County Waters and Channels Through 5:15 AM HST

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Honolulu HI has issued a Special Marine Warning (SMW) for several marine zones around Maui County. The alert was issued at 3:20 AM HST following radar detection of severe thunderstorms in the area.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

• Channels: Kaiwi Channel, Pailolo Channel, and Alenuihaha Channel.
• Coastal Waters: Maui County Windward Waters, Maui County Leeward Waters, and Maalaea Bay.
• Specific Locations: Impacted areas include Kahului Harbor, Kaumalapau Harbor, Hale O Lono Harbor, Cape Halawa, Ilio Point, and FAD Buoys K, MC, and CC.

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected areas should take immediate precautions:

• Prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours.
• Stay low or go below deck to avoid hazards.
• Ensure all persons on board are wearing life jackets.
• Avoid the warning area until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

At 3:20 AM HST, a line of severe thunderstorms was located from 6 nautical miles southeast of Kahala to near Halaula, moving northeast at 20 knots.

Primary Hazards:

• Waterspouts: These can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas.
• Wind: Gusts of 34 knots or greater are expected.
• Seas: Small craft could be damaged by suddenly higher waves and briefly higher winds.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 3:20 AM HST on March 11, 2026. The alert is currently scheduled to expire at 5:15 AM HST.