Hurricane Nolo is bearing down on Hawaii, and now officials are watching Kilauea for a second threat: volcanic hail.
The Category 2 storm was moving west at 9 mph Sunday morning, about 200 miles south of South Point, Hawaii. Its outer rain bands were lashing the Big Island and Maui, though the winds are expected to ease later in the day. A flood watch remains in effect through Sunday night for the Big Island.
The hurricane is one of three currently swirling in the Pacific. Hurricane Polo remains a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph, expected to bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Baja California Sur as early as Sunday night or early Monday. Hurricane Odalys is barely holding onto Category 1 status with winds of 75 mph and is expected to dissipate later Sunday.
Nolo’s Strength and Path
Nolo peaked briefly at Category 2 strength Saturday before weakening to a Category 1 hurricane. Overnight, it re-strengthened to Category 2 again. Experts expect it to grow stronger and move west, with the storm’s center staying well south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Outer rain bands from Nolo will continue to hit parts of the Big Island and Maui on Sunday, but are expected to weaken later in the day. Gusty winds, heavy rain and large waves will persist for parts of Hawaii through 6 p.m. Sunday local time.
All tropical alerts for Hawaii have been cancelled due to Nolo’s weakening trend Saturday. But the storm is still a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 105 mph.
The Last Time Three Hurricanes Roamed the Pacific
This is the first time since 2015 that three hurricanes have been active simultaneously in the Pacific. That year saw Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena form.
| Hurricane | Current Status | Maximum Sustained Winds |
|---|---|---|
| Nolo | Category 2, strengthening | Up to 105 mph |
| Polo | Category 3 | 120 mph |
| Odalys | Category 1, weakening | 75 mph |
Volcanic Hail Warning
The worry is not just the storm. Officials are also watching Kilauea for signs of precursor activity that could send tephra — volcanic hail — into nearby communities.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda told ABC News that precursor activity has been detected at the Kilauea volcano. He described tephra as volcanic hail, capable of shooting as high as a thousand feet.
“If there is wind, then that wind pushes that tephra all over to the surrounding community,” Alameda said. “If that tephra … got into our catchment tank, it impacts our water. So it messes up the catchment tanks, the swimming pools. The roads [have] got to be cleared because it’s very dangerous if it’s on our roads. So, it becomes to the threshold of a disaster.”
Emergency officials are closely watching to see if the activity progresses. Alameda emphasized that the last thing the state needs is to battle multiple disasters at once.
A Rough Year in Hawaii
Hawaii is still recovering from four natural disasters in 2026 that will cost one billion dollars to recover from, according to Gov. Josh Green. Residents on the Big Island are still cleaning up debris from Hurricane Lala, which hit just six weeks ago.
“It’s been rough, and we’re doing the best we can in responding and trying to keep the spirits up for our residents,” Alameda said. “But you know, it brings us together. I believe in every unfortunate situation there are many blessings, and so we look for those blessings, and that’s what keeps us strong.”
The governor’s estimate of $1 billion in recovery costs comes from Green himself. The cleanup from Lala is ongoing, and the Big Island is still picking up debris from that earlier storm.
What Happens Next
The immediate concern is the combination of a powerful hurricane and an active volcano. The wind from Nolo could push tephra across the island, clogging catchment tanks, swimming pools and roads.
Alameda described the scenario as a disaster threshold. The catchment tanks provide drinking water for many communities, and tephra in them would contaminate the supply.
The roads are another hazard. Tephra on the roads is dangerous for drivers, and crews would need to clear it quickly.
The Long Road Ahead
Hawaii has spent most of 2026 recovering from natural disasters. The $1 billion recovery cost estimate from Gov. Green covers four separate events.
The state is now facing a fifth disaster in quick succession. Officials are hoping the precursor activity at Kilauea does not develop further.
The governor’s blessing message is a reminder of how the state responds. In his words, every unfortunate situation holds many blessings, and that is what keeps the state strong.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Hurricane Nolo: Category 2, winds up to 105 mph, located south of the Big Island, moving west at 9 mph
- Hurricane Polo: Category 3, winds 120 mph, expected to affect Baja California Sur Sunday night or early Monday
- Hurricane Odalys: Category 1, winds 75 mph, expected to dissipate later Sunday
- Flood watch: In effect through Sunday night for the Big Island
- Tropical alerts: All cancelled for Hawaii, but gusty winds warnings remain through 6 p.m. Sunday local time
- Kilauea precursor activity: Detected, officials watching for potential tephra (volcanic hail)
- Recovery costs: One billion dollars for four 2026 disasters, per Gov. Josh Green
- Last major hurricane season: 2015, when Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena formed
The Risk of Multiple Disasters
The situation in Hawaii is unusual. Three hurricanes in the Pacific at once is rare enough. The volcano shows precursor activity, which adds another layer of uncertainty.
The last time Hawaii faced a similar setup was 2015, when Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena formed.
The current situation is different. Nolo is expected to stay well south of the islands, though its outer bands will still hit. The volcano is showing precursor activity, which means something beneath the surface is changing.
Alameda’s warning is direct. He described the disaster threshold in plain terms: water supply, roads and community safety all at risk if tephra spreads.
The governor’s $1 billion recovery estimate hangs over everything. Four disasters in one year is a heavy burden for any state, and Hawaii has not finished recovering from the last one.
What to Watch For
The coming hours will tell whether Kilauea’s precursor activity develops into an eruption. If it does, the wind from Nolo could carry tephra across populated areas.
The Big Island is already dealing with Hurricane Lala’s aftermath. Another disaster would stretch resources thin.
The state has shown resilience before. Alameda’s message about finding blessings in hardship is a familiar one in Hawaii.
For now, the focus is on monitoring. Officials are watching both the hurricane and the volcano.
Source material: “Hurricane Nolo lashes Hawaii as new threat of 'volcanic hail' arises,” ABC News.
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