Kalihiwai Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks at Kalihiwai. This is a reef break that demands an advanced skill level, so this isn’t the spot to be learning the ropes. It’s fairly consistent, but right now, we’re looking at a long stretch of nothing special.

The first week is a tough one. From Tuesday, 25th August, right through to the end of the month, the surf is pretty much a write-off. The wind is stubbornly out of the east, mostly cross or cross-off, but it’s that moderate breeze that’s messing with any chance of real quality. The swell is small, between 4 ft and 6 ft, coming from the east, and the period is short—stuck around 6 to 8 seconds. That’s weak, wind-affected slop. The combined energy rarely gets above 400 (moderate), and even when it does, it’s just not clean. The water is a warm 81°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

We go through a full week of this, with no real standout. The wind stays moderate, the swell stays small and short-period. It’s a grind.

Then, as we roll into the second week, things start to shift. On Thursday, 3rd September morning, the wind drops right off to a slight air, creating a light cross-shore with small ripples. The swell is only 4 ft, but the period jumps to 14 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, and it’s bringing real energy—425 (moderate). The water temp is still that same 81°, so no change there. This is a glimmer, but the swell height is small, so it’s more of a longboarder’s window.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the morning of Wednesday, 9th September. The swell hits 6 ft from the east-northeast, with a 12-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy is ripping at 1286 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-off from the east. This is the best looking window in the whole forecast. The waves will have shape, power, and clean faces. It’s a reef break, so that long-period energy will really wrap in nicely. Keep in mind, for a beginner, this is getting up there at 6 ft, so it’s pushing into expert territory.

The afternoon of the same day drops off a bit, but the morning is the clear winner. The rest of the week after that is a mix of cross-shore winds and moderate energy, nothing that beats that 9th September morning.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a dud. The second week has a few marginal days, but the standout session is the morning of Wednesday, 9th September. That’s your best bet. Get on it before the crowds figure it out, because this spot can get busy.

Rusty.

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