Special Marine Warning Issued for Maui County Windward Waters and Alenuihaha Channel

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Alenuihaha Channel and Maui County Windward Waters. The alert was issued at 6:24 PM HST following radar detection of a strong thunderstorm.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Alenuihaha Channel and Maui County Windward Waters. Specific locations impacted by this weather system include FAD Buoy M and FAD Buoy FF. At the time of the alert, the storm was located near Hamoa, moving east at approximately 5 knots.

What You Should Do

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

• Safety Gear: Ensure all persons on board are wearing life jackets.
• Seek Shelter: Stay low or go below deck to avoid hazards. If caught on open water, stay below deck to protect against frequent lightning.
• Preparation: Prepare for steep and fast-building seas along with blinding downpours that may reduce visibility.

Expected Conditions

The primary hazards associated with this thunderstorm include:

• Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots, which could damage small craft.
• Hail: Small hail is expected.
• Sea Conditions: Suddenly higher waves and steep, fast-building seas.
• Lightning: Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in place until 8:30 PM HST on February 22, 2026.