Halawa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Halawa area.

Honestly, we’re looking at a pretty grim run of surf for the next week or so. The wind is a major problem – it’s blowing a fresh cross-shore from the east or east-northeast at 18 to 22 mph for days on end, which is just going to put a nasty cross-chop on everything. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate at best, mostly in the range of 53 to 365, and the wave heights are either tiny or, when they do get a bit of size, the period is short and the wind is wrecking it. For the first week, the call is "poor surf conditions" across the board, so honestly, don’t bother waxing up. There’s a gap of about a week with no real recommendations.

The first real glimmer of something happens on Saturday, September 5th. The swell starts to build a bit, with a 7.5ft swell from the east-northeast (13 seconds) and a combined energy of 1719. That’s a solid, very long-period groundswell. However, the wind is still a fresh cross-shore, and the forecast is only "marginal." The period is over 15 seconds, which is very long. That kind of groundswell loves a reef or a point, but at Halawa (reef/river), with that big period and a cross-shore wind, it’s going to be a tricky one. The sets will be powerful but slow, and the lineup will be lumpy. Still, it’s the best we’ve got.

Sunday, September 6th looks a bit more promising. The wind drops to a moderate 12 mph in the afternoon, the swell is still a solid 5.9ft from the east-northeast, and the period is a very long 12 seconds. The combined energy is a strong 1682. For a moment there, the conditions are as close to manageable as we’ll see. The "gentle cross-shore" on Monday, September 7th, with a 7.2ft swell from the northeast (11 seconds) and a combined energy of 1694, is the standout of the whole forecast. The energy is strong, and the wind is only a gentle breeze. That’s the best window for a paddle. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

So, the pick of the litter is Monday, September 7th, at Halawa. The swell is 7.2ft from the northeast, which is a solid groundswell. The wind is light, making for the cleanest conditions on offer. The break is a reef, which is perfect for that longer period. It might be a bit big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it'll be the best session in a long while. This spot is fairly consistent and can get crowded sometimes, so be prepared for company.

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