The day starts on a deceptively calm note at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL), where skies are mostly clear, temperatures hover near 75°F, and the humidity is already sticking around. East-northeast trade winds are ramping up across Oahu and will turn afternoons noticeably breezier, especially along exposed ridgelines and east-facing shores. Expect plenty of sunshine with a high near 83°F on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, but for many outdoor plans, the real headline will be the gusts.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Highs are expected to top out near 83°F today, with east-northeast winds blowing at 14 to 21 mph and gusts reaching up to 29 mph in exposed spots. Overnight lows will hold in the mid-70s, and a similar breezy setup is on tap for Wednesday. A lingering weak trough near the western end of the state will keep more clouds and showers focused over Kauai, while elsewhere most showers will favor windward and mauka slopes, mainly at night and in the early morning hours. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through 6 PM HST Wednesday for Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo and Alenuihaha Channels, and several Big Island coastal waters; expect choppy seas and a small northwest swell arriving Wednesday into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service Honolulu.
Marine And Outdoor Outlook
Boat operators and weekend beachgoers should be ready for choppy conditions and short, steep waves near harbor entrances, with the usual windier channels around Maui and the Big Island feeling it the most. Local coverage earlier this spring has repeatedly flagged how trade winds kick up choppy seas and gusty shorelines, see trade-driven choppy seas for background. If you have outdoor events planned, secure canopies and lightweight gear, and be ready for brief wind-driven showers, mainly along windward areas.
Quick Take
Look for breezy afternoons through at least Thursday, with showers most likely overnight and in the early morning. Highs will stay in the low-to-mid 80s and lows in the mid-70s. Check the National Weather Service forecast before heading out, and skip small-boat trips if you are inexperienced or your vessel is not up to the conditions.
