Hurricane Nolo Closes In on Hawaii: Category 1 Now, Category 3 Expected Tonight — Big Island Under Hurricane Watch — Delta, American, Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest All Issue Waivers — Flights to Hilo, Kona, Honolulu & Maui at Risk September 25–28 — Complete Traveller Action Guide

Hurricane Nolo has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and is tracking directly toward Hawaii’s Big Island — the strongest storm to approach this close to the island since the late 1950s. The National Weather Service warns it could intensify to a Category 3 hurricane by Friday night, with catastrophic flooding, life-threatening storm surge, and damaging winds expected through the weekend. Hawaii County is under a Hurricane Watch. Maui County is under a Tropical Storm Watch. All five major US carriers flying to Hawaii have issued travel waivers. If you are flying to, from, or through Hawaii this weekend — read this now before you leave for the airport.

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🌀 PART 1: What Is Hurricane Nolo and Where Is It Now?

Nolo has strengthened into a hurricane and will likely be the strongest storm to pass this close to the Big Island since the late 1950s. Hurricane Hunters reported the storm reached Category 1 strength as its outer bands begin to approach the Big Island. Conditions will deteriorate throughout the night and continue to worsen into the weekend, with winds already gusting to 30 mph across the southern parts of the Big Island.

The National Weather Service said the storm is likely to continue strengthening into a Category 3 hurricane on Friday night, around the time of its closest approach to the Big Island. Heavy rainfall and a dangerous storm surge are forecast for Hawaii Island starting late Thursday, with Hawaii County under hurricane watch and tropical storm warning. A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.

Nolo is forecast to move to the north or north-northeast later today through Friday, followed by a sharp westward turn by Saturday in the vicinity of the Big Island.

This is Hawaii’s fourth tropical system of the 2026 hurricane season — coming just weeks after Hurricane Lala delivered catastrophic flooding to the Big Island in August and Hurricane Lowell forced Princess Cruises to divert the Ruby Princess away from Kauai on September 22.

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✈️ PART 2: Airline Waivers — Every Carrier, Every Detail

All five major US airlines serving Hawaii have issued travel waivers. Here is the complete breakdown:

American Airlines waives change fees on all fares, including Basic Economy, for HNL, OGG, KOA, and LIH travel September 24 to 28. Delta’s waiver covers KOA, OGG, and HNL for tickets issued by September 24 and travel September 26 to 27. Southwest lets customers booked to or from Hilo or Kona on September 25 to 27 rebook or fly standby within 14 days of the original travel date between the same cities, with no change in airfare.

Action point: Do not wait for your flight to be cancelled to rebook. Once mass cancellations begin, alternative seats disappear within hours. Rebook now if your plans are flexible.

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🌧️ PART 3: What to Expect on the Ground in Hawaii

Big Island could see rainfall totals of 15 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts up to 35 inches. Maui is forecast to receive 5 to 10 inches, with isolated amounts up to 20 inches. Closures already happening include state parks, trails, camping areas, schools, government offices, and some University of Hawaii facilities.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has requested a federal emergency declaration covering all four of the state’s counties. Hawaii Island libraries are closed Thursday and Friday. State offices on Hawaii Island are closed Thursday and Friday unless they are essential support services.

The Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race originally scheduled for Sunday September 27 has been cancelled. Multiple events and gatherings across the islands have been postponed or cancelled, with the list continuing to grow.

Island-by-island closure status as of September 25, 2026:

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🌊 PART 4: Ocean, Surf and Tour Operators — Do Not Go Near the Water

Swells from Nolo are expected to reach exposed east and south-facing shores of the Big Island by Friday, building through the weekend and potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip currents. Ocean conditions can become dangerous before the storm makes its closest approach. Check with your tour operator before heading out, and follow beach and ocean closures issued by local officials.

If you are currently in Hawaii on a tour, excursion, or cruise stop — helicopter tours, snorkel trips, whale watches, volcano tours, and all coastal activities are expected to suspend operations on the Big Island and Maui through the weekend. Do not rely on your hotel or tour operator to contact you — check directly.

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🌍 PART 5: Market-by-Market Traveller Guide

🇺🇸 US Travellers

Hawaii is the most popular domestic long-haul destination for mainland Americans. If you are booked on any flight to HNL, OGG, KOA, ITO, or LIH this weekend, check your airline’s waiver page now. All major carriers have waivers active. Rebook online — do not call; hold times will be extremely long once mass cancellations begin.

🇨🇦 Canadian Travellers

Air Canada and WestJet have not yet published Hawaii waivers as of publication — monitor their travel alerts pages at aircanada.com and westjet.com. Under Canada’s APPR regulations, if your flight is cancelled due to a hurricane (outside the airline’s control), you are entitled to rebooking at no extra cost but not to additional compensation. Act early and rebook proactively rather than waiting for a cancellation.

🇦🇺🇳🇿 Australian and New Zealand Travellers

Many Australian and NZ travellers use Hawaii as a stopover on US-bound itineraries, particularly on Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Hawaiian Airlines routes. If your onward connection passes through Honolulu this weekend, check your full itinerary for knock-on disruption risk. Hawaiian Airlines’ waiver currently covers Hilo (ITO) only — if you are connecting through HNL, monitor closely as coverage may expand.

🇬🇧 UK Travellers

Hawaii is a long-haul bucket-list destination for UK travellers, typically booked months in advance. If you are currently in Hawaii or due to arrive this weekend, contact your travel insurance provider immediately. Most comprehensive UK travel insurance policies cover hurricane-related cancellations and curtailments — check your policy wording for “natural disaster” or “severe weather” clauses before paying for anything out of pocket.

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🛡️ PART 6: Passenger Rights — What You Are Entitled To

Because Hurricane Nolo is a weather event outside airline control, the passenger rights landscape differs from a standard cancellation:

Key point: Under US DOT rules, if an airline cancels your flight for any reason — including weather — you are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment if you choose not to travel. You do not have to accept a voucher.

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📋 PART 7: What To Do Right Now — 7-Step Action Checklist

1. Check your flight status on your airline’s app — do not rely on email alerts alone
2. Use your waiver — rebook now at no cost if your plans allow any flexibility
3. Do not go to the airport if your flight has not been confirmed — call first
4. Contact your travel insurer — report the situation before incurring any extra costs
5. Avoid all coastal areas on the Big Island and Maui until the all-clear is given
6. Follow Hawaii Emergency Management Agency at hiema.hawaii.gov for live updates
7. Check the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov for the latest storm track

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🌐 Official Sources

• National Hurricane Center — nhc.noaa.gov
• Hawaii Emergency Management Agency — hiema.hawaii.gov
• Delta Air Lines Nolo waiver — delta.com/advisories
• American Airlines Nolo waiver — aa.com/travel-alerts
• Alaska Airlines Nolo waiver — alaskaair.com/travel-policies
• Southwest Airlines Nolo waiver — southwest.com/travel-advisories
• Big Island Now live updates — bigislandnow.com

Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.