Honolulu is waking up to mostly clear skies and about 74°F at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL) on Friday, May 29, 2026, but the calm look is a little deceiving. Isolated showers are in the mix through late morning, with a warm afternoon high near 84°F and brisk east-northeast trade winds set to make things feel extra breezy. Small boats and shoreline visitors should be ready for gusts into the mid-20s and a Small Craft Advisory that holds through this evening.
Afternoon Winds And Boating
By Friday afternoon, east-northeast winds are expected to run around 13 to 18 mph, with gusts up to roughly 25 mph, especially along exposed coasts and in the usual wind tunnels between islands. The Small Craft Advisory stays in place through 6 p.m. HST Friday, May 29, 2026, covering Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels, Big Island Leeward Waters and Big Island Southeast Waters. Small-craft operators should favor more sheltered harbors and avoid choppy channels. Boaters are urged to check the latest marine products before heading out, according to the National Weather Service Honolulu.
Surf And Coastal Impacts
A long-period south-southwest swell is on the way up, and south-facing shores are likely to push into advisory-level surf by Friday night, with those elevated waves hanging around through the weekend. With water levels running higher than predicted, that extra surge could send wave runup across normally dry sections of sand, especially at high tide. Beachgoers should listen to lifeguards, skip the narrow shorebreaks, and know that an innocent-looking set can still sneak up the beach.
Weekend Outlook And What To Bring
Through the weekend, trade winds should ease as a broad low pressure area north of the islands weakens the surface ridge. That will open the door to localized sea breezes and keep afternoon highs near 84 to 85°F on Saturday and Sunday. Moisture is expected to increase Monday into midweek, which will boost shower chances for the eastern islands before trades re-establish later in the week with stronger gusts possible. For earlier context on the same trade-wind and south-swell setup, see our earlier trade-and-swell outlook.
Quick Tips
Tie down or bring in loose patio furniture and umbrellas before the afternoon gusts kick in. Check tide tables ahead of time if you are heading to more exposed beaches, and avoid taking small boats through channels while the advisory remains in effect. If you are going to the shore, stick to staffed beaches and follow lifeguard instructions for the safest playbook on a windy, surfy weekend.
