“King Tide” Peak Levels Forecast for Maui

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement today in advance of a record level tide that is anticipated to arrive over the next several days in the Hawaiian Islands.

The greatest impacts in Maui County are due between 3:44 and 5:09 p.m. on Friday, May 26, with high tides ranging from 2 feet in Mākena to 2.9 feet in Hāna, according to the NOAA tide prediction calendar.  Tides of over 2 feet are expected at various locations from today through Sunday. (See predictions below)

Photo courtesy: Hawaii Sea Grant Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience. Maui Now graphic overlay.

Similar to the April 28th through May 1st weekend, when the highest tides on record were reported for Honolulu, the NWS says impacts of the approaching “king tide” will include beach flooding and standing water on roadways and low-lying areas near the coast through the weekend.  The NWS advises that coastal flooding is anticipated over the next several days along all shores of the Hawaiian Islands due to the record level event.

Ocean models generated by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Level Center indicate that elevated water levels are likely to persist through the summer. According to the Hawai‘i Sea Grant Center for Coastal and Climate Science and Resilience program, record high water levels are expected around the upcoming highest astronomic tides of the year, known as “king tides,” occurring over a few days around the new moons on May 25-26, June 23-24, and July 21-22 in Hawai‘i.

“A large summer south swell is expected to build on Friday and continue through the Memorial Day weekend, before steadily easing next week. Surf generated from this south swell will likely be advisory-level heights, but will be exacerbated by the high tides resulting in additional beach run up, flooding and erosion,” the NWS reports.

The following are the daily high tide times at select locations across Maui County, which will correspond to the maximum coastal impact.  The predictions are forecasts, but actual high tides may be greater than what has been projected:

Kahului Harbor:

5/24 Wednesday 2:15 p.m. 2.58 ft
5/25 Thursday 2:59 p.m. 2.73 ft
5/26 Friday 3:44 p.m. 2.78 ft
5/27 Saturday 4:31 p.m. 2.73 ft

Hāna:

5/24 Wednesday 2:55 p.m. 2.71 ft
5/25 Thursday 3:39 p.m. 2.87 ft
5/26 Friday 4:24 p.m. 2.92 ft
5/27 Saturday 5:11 p.m. 2.86 ft
5/28 Sun 6 p.m. 2.72 ft

Mākena:

5/24 Wednesday 3:36 p.m. 1.88 ft
5/25 Thursday 4:20 p.m. 2 ft
5/26 Friday 5:05 p.m. 2.03 ft
5/27 Saturday 5:52 p.m. 1.99 ft

Kamalapau, Lānaʻi:

5/24 Wednesday 3:38 p.m. 2.49 ft
5/25 Thursday 4:22 p.m. 2.62 ft
5/26 Friday 5:09 p.m. 2.66 ft
5/27 Saturday 5:57 p.m. 2.6 ft
5/28 Sunday 6:48 p.m. 2.48 ft

Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi:

5/24 Wednesday 3:37 p.m. 2.5 ft
5/25 Thursday 4:20 p.m. 2.65 ft
5/26 Friday 5:03 p.m. 2.69 ft
5/27 Saturday 5:48 p.m. 2.63 ft
5/28 Sunday 6:24 p.m. 2.48 ft

The Maui County Emergency Management Agency released anticipated times of peak water levels and surf for Kihei and Lahaina as noted below:

The following are the daily high tide times for Honolulu which will correspond to the maximum coastal impact for that location:

5/24 Wednesday 3:36 p.m. 2.29 ft
5/25 Thursday  4:20 p.m. 2.42 ft
5/26 Friday    5:07 p.m. (peak water levels/surf expected) 2.46 ft
5/27 Saturday  5:55 p.m. (peak water levels/surf expected) 2.40 ft
5/28 Sunday    6:46 p.m. 2.28 ft
5/29 Monday    7:40 p.m. 2.10 ft