Tropical Storm Fausto today: Heavy surf hits Hawaii as system tracks north

Massive waves are crashing along east-facing beaches from Big Island to Kauai as water surges across shoreline areas and harbor entrances. Beachfront parks in Hilo sit completely empty behind official closure barriers. Tropical Storm Fausto is currently making its closest pass just north of the Hawaiian Islands, driving hazardous currents across the state.

The Story at a Glance

Tropical Storm Fausto is tracking west-northwest across the Central Pacific and is expected to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands through Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 60 mph, down from its earlier peak as a Category 2 hurricane. While the core of the storm is set to remain offshore, a high surf warning remains active until 6 p.m. Wednesday for exposed east-facing shores, where wave heights are reaching 14 to 18 feet.

How the Story Developed

Fausto developed in the eastern Pacific basin alongside Hurricane Genevieve, which temporarily peaked as a Category 5 system. Last week, Fausto intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph roughly 1,600 miles east of Hilo. As the system entered cooler sea surface temperatures and encountered increasing vertical wind shear, it steadily lost strength.

By Tuesday morning, the storm was centered approximately 265 miles northeast of Hilo and 400 miles east of Honolulu, moving west at 14 mph. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles, primarily to the northeast of the storm's center. High pressure systems northeast of Hawaii, along with cooler ocean waters north of the state, served as a natural buffer, keeping the main wind field north of the landmass.

Key People and Details

Local authorities and federal agencies have taken several proactive safety measures across the islands:

• Beach Park Closures: Hawaii County closed multiple Keaukaha beach parks in Hilo, including Onekahakaha, Kealoha, Carl Smith, Leleiwi, Waiʻōlena, Waiuli, Richardson’s Ocean Park, Lehia, and Lālākēa.
• Port Operations: The U.S. Coast Guard established Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey for all commercial ports statewide, advising pleasure craft to seek sheltered waters.
• Marine Advisories: A small craft advisory remains in effect for windward coastal waters, where combined seas are ranging from 8 to 13 feet.

Shipping operator Young Brothers noted that while regular sailing schedules remain intact, increased harbor surge could impede the ability to berth or discharge barges safely. Meanwhile, ocean swells from distant Hurricane Genevieve are also expected to begin affecting Southern California beaches, producing 5 to 9 foot surf in south-facing areas north of Oceanside starting Wednesday evening.

Reaction and Response

Weather officials cautioned that the storm's displacement of regional trade winds could lead to localized weather changes across the islands. The National Weather Service noted that lighter winds will allow sea breezes to form, bringing the potential for heavy afternoon and evening showers to Hawaii Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai through Wednesday.

Public safety officials urge residents to keep emergency supplies ready and avoid entering affected water channels until marine conditions stabilize.

What to Watch

By Wednesday night, Fausto is forecast to move farther west-northwest into open water, degrading into a tropical depression by Thursday. Moderate to breezy trade winds are expected to return statewide by Thursday, ushering in a drier and more stable pattern into the weekend. However, surf along east-facing shores will likely remain elevated into the weekend as long-period swells generated by Hurricane Genevieve arrive from the eastern Pacific.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Tropical Storm Fausto make landfall in Hawaii?

No. Forecast models show the center of Tropical Storm Fausto passing well north of the Hawaiian Islands as it continues moving west-northwest over open water.

What is the biggest threat from Fausto to the Hawaiian Islands?

The primary threat is large, dangerous surf reaching 14 to 18 feet along east-facing shores, along with strong rip currents, coastal surges, and localized heavy afternoon showers.

How long will the High Surf Warning remain active?

The high surf warning issued by the National Weather Service is scheduled to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island.

Are commercial shipping and port operations in Hawaii closed?

Ports remain open under Coast Guard Port Condition Whiskey, but operators anticipate potential harbor surge delays, and pleasure craft have been advised to seek shelter.