August 24–30, 2026

Aloha from Kauaʻi! This week begins a little wetter and breezier than a typical late-August week as moisture on the northern edge of Tropical Storm Moke brushes the island chain. For Kauaʻi, the National Weather Service expects some extra windward and mountain showers Monday, followed by drier, more typical trade-wind weather beginning Tuesday and continuing through much of the week.

That makes this a good week to keep Monday flexible, then take advantage of improving conditions for beaches, scenic drives, markets, and outdoor events later in the week.

Weather & Ocean Notes

Monday may bring scattered showers across the island, with the wettest conditions favoring windward and mountain areas. North and East Kauaʻi have roughly a 50% chance of rain Monday, while the mountains could see more frequent showers. Trade winds ease somewhat Tuesday as Moke moves farther west, and the remainder of the week is expected to return to a more typical summer trade-wind pattern.

Ocean conditions deserve extra attention early in the week. A Small Craft Advisory was in effect for all Hawaiian coastal waters through 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 24. East-facing surf is expected around 4–6 feet Monday and may remain choppy, while a fresh south swell is expected Monday and Tuesday. Always check lifeguard guidance and posted beach warnings before entering the water.

Community Events This Week

Monday — Local Community Day

Start the week in Līhuʻe with Coffee and Play for Keiki at Hale Līhuʻe from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., followed by the free Kūpuna Jam Session from 1:00–2:30 p.m.

If you’re exploring the East or North Shore later in the day, the Anahola Farmers Market runs from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Anahola Marketplace, with fresh produce, baked goods, teas, prepared food, local art, handmade goods, and other community vendors.

Tuesday — Free Hula Lessons in Līhuʻe

On Tuesday, August 25, the YWCA Kauaʻi hosts free hula lessons at Hale Līhuʻe from 4:00–5:00 p.m. The lesson is open from keiki to kūpuna and is taught by Kumu Hula Kamalani. Advance sign-up is requested by the organizer.

It’s a welcoming opportunity to experience Hawaiian culture in a community setting rather than simply watching from the sidelines.

Wednesday — Makai Music & Art Festival

Wednesday afternoon is a great time to be on the North Shore. The Makai Music & Art Festival returns to Princeville Makai Golf Club from 1:00–5:00 p.m. on August 26.

Admission and parking are free, with live music plus more than 20 local artists and vendors. Pair the festival with a morning in Hanalei or Kīlauea for an easy North Shore day.

Thursday — Free Hula Show & Craft Fair

On Thursday, August 27, Tamatea Nui O Kauaʻi hosts its free Hula Show & Craft Fair at Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay from 4:00–7:00 p.m.

The event combines hula, live ukulele and singing, Hawaiian history and culture, and local craft vendors. It’s especially convenient for visitors staying around Kapaʻa, Wailua, or Līhuʻe.

Saturday — Farm Fair & Fun Tribute

One of the week’s standout events happens Saturday, August 29, from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Kukui Grove Center in Līhuʻe.

The Farm Fair & Fun Tribute, presented with the Kauaʻi Farm Bureau, includes the 2026 Fruit and Vegetable Show, Kauaʻi bonsai, local vendors, food, family entertainment, live music, and educational programming focused on stopping the spread of invasive pests.

It’s a fun way to see a side of Kauaʻi that goes beyond the beaches while supporting the island’s agricultural community.

Local Business Highlight

This week’s recommendation is to shop and eat locally through the island’s markets and maker events. The Anahola Farmers Market, Makai Music & Art Festival, Thursday craft fair, and Saturday Farm Fair all put local growers, artists, musicians, food vendors, and small businesses in one place.

Pick up island-grown produce or locally made gifts, then build a picnic or beach afternoon around what you find.

Road & Travel Advisories

Expect a busy roadwork week from August 24–28. On Kaumualiʻi Highway, work is scheduled around Pua Loke, Kīpū–Kōloa, ʻŌmaʻo, Lāwaʻi, ʻEleʻele, and Kaumakani–Makaweli. Several Kōloa-area closures are overnight, while other projects run during daytime hours.

On the East Side, overnight lane closures are scheduled in Wailua, Wailua–Waipouli, and Kapaʻa. The Kapaʻa Bypass also has a daytime single-lane closure from Wailua toward Kapaʻa for pavement marking and striping.

If Waimea Canyon or Kōkeʻe is on your itinerary, allow extra time. Waimea Canyon Drive has weekday single-lane closures for striping, pavement marking, and shoulder widening, with alternating traffic through the open lane. Leaving early remains the best strategy for both clearer canyon views and fewer traffic headaches. All roadwork is weather permitting and schedules can change.

Recommended Day Plan

If the weather is unsettled Monday, use the day for Līhuʻe, local shopping, cafés, and the Anahola Farmers Market.

From Tuesday onward, when drier trade-wind weather is expected to return, plan your bigger outdoor days. Wednesday is ideal for a North Shore morning followed by the Makai Music & Art Festival.

Saturday works especially well as a Līhuʻe and South Shore day: visit the Farm Fair at Kukui Grove, then continue toward Poʻipū for a late-afternoon beach stop or sunset.

Visitor Tip of the Week

After back-to-back tropical systems near Hawaiʻi, pay a little more attention than usual to conditions rather than relying on a fixed itinerary. Kauaʻi’s weather can be dramatically different from one side of the island to another. A rainy North Shore morning can coincide with sunshine on the South or West Side.

Check the forecast before leaving, stay flexible, and let the island’s microclimates help choose your adventure.

Enjoy the week, support local businesses, drive with a little extra patience around construction zones, and make time for the spontaneous stops that so often become the best part of a Kauaʻi trip. Aloha! 🌺