Attention: The forecast is not accurate when a tsunami, tropical storm or cyclone watch/warning is in effect. For these events, please seek information for either tsunamis or tropical storms/hurricanes. In case of a possible inundation event, please consult with local authorities and emergency responders to seek further information and direction.

The Solid Dark Blue Curve and Solid Cyan Curve display the Past and Forecast Sea Level for the previous 3 days and the next 6 days, respectively, relative to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW, a typical NOAA datum). Past Sea Level is obtained from a combination of a local tide model with the long-period, non-tidal sea level variability being observed in real-time at Kahului Harbor. Grey vertical lines provide the associated times of high tides.

The Hatched Cyan Curve shows the forecast maximum height (or, run-up height) reached by waves along the shoreline in the Ukumehame region for the next 6 days, relative to MLLW. The run-up height will always exceed or equal the tide plus background sea level described above, because the waves are riding on top of that sea level. The Hatched Dark Blue Curve shows a history of the last forecast run-up height determined for each particular time of the past 3 days; this curve provides context to show how the forecast run-up for the next 6 days differs. For more information on how the forecasts are produced, see the Details tab on the Overview Page.

If the forecast run-up extends into the red shaded region on the plot, the waves are expected to at least become a disruption for beach activities. The higher the forecast the more severe the expected effects. One or more of the following threshold levels is/are shown in the red shaded area in the plot above: (a) Light Impacts, (b) Hazardous Impacts, (c) Critical Impacts. Click on the Run-up Examples tab for descriptions of the possible hazards.

Notifications

If you would like to receive notifications when the forecast for Ukumehame (or any other West Maui region) reaches the impact stage, please register here:

https://notifications.pacioos.hawaii.edu

https://notifications.pacioos.hawaii.edu

 

The Ukumehame region reaches from the Olowalu Wharf in the north to Pāpalaua Wayside Park in the southeast. There is no development along the shore except for private residences near Olowalu town. The shoreline is characterized by narrow beaches of sand or cobble interspersed with rock rubble underlain by volcanic sediment and rock. This region is somewhat protected by waves by a relatively wide and shallow fringing reef, except where the reef narrows in the middle of the region. Honoapiʻilani Highway often comes very close to the shoreline, so the road is subject to impacts from high waves and the shoreline has been artificially hardened to protect the road in some areas.

Run-up Thresholds

(a) Light Impact – beach and nearshore activities disrupted as occasional waves may sweep the entire beach width.

(b) Hazardous Impact – heavy wave action on beaches; likely run-up onto the parts of the coast that are not artificially hardened; battering of artificial shoreline hardening structures; occasional wave overtopping of artificial shoreline hardening structures; and/or erosion of exposed volcanic sediment.

(c) Critical Impact – strong battering of artificial shoreline hardening structures; waves regularly overtopping artificial hardening; flooding of adjacent low-lying roads and land; and/or significant erosion of exposed volcanic sediment.

Run-up Examples

(a) Light Impact Event — August 14, 2012 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

(b) Hazardous Impact Event — May 26, 2017 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Photo Credit: Hyang Yoon (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project).

(b) Hazardous Impact Event — June 14, 2018 | Olowalu Mile Marker 14

Photo Credit: Tara Owens (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project).

(b) Hazardous Impact Event — June 22, 2020 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Photo Credit: Chris Brosius. (orange star on map)

Photo Credit: Chris Brosius. (yellow star on map)

Photo Credit: Chris Brosius. (blue star on map)

(c) Critical Impact Event — June, 2017 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Photo Credit: Asa Ellison. (orange star on map)

Photo Credit: Asa Ellison. (blue star on map)

Photo Credit: Asa Ellison.

Photo Credit: Asa Ellison.

(c) Critical Impact Event — August 9, 2018 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project. (blue star on map)

Ukumehame Beach Park. Photo Credit: Holly Rindge. (orange star on map)

(c) Critical Impact Event — July 2, 2019 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Olowalu Mile Marker 14. Photo Credit: Asa Ellison (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project). (blue star on map)

Photo Credit: Asa Ellison (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project). (orange star on map)

(c) Critical Impact Event — July 2-3 2020 | Honoapiʻilani Highway

Photo Credit: Dawn Hegger-Nordblom (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project). (blue star on map)

Photo Credit: Dane Maxwell. (orange star on map)

Photo Credit: Dane Maxwell. (orange star on map)

Photo Credit: Paula Alcoseba (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project). (yellow star on map)

Photo Credit: Paula Alcoseba (Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project). (yellow star on map)

Get Involved!

We continue to collect photo documentation to fine-tune the model (if necessary) and to identify the impacts of these run-up events along the West Maui shoreline. We are specifically interested in photos around peak tides or swells, or anytime waves overtop beach features. If possible, capture the maximum extent of water running up the shoreline. The contributions from you, our citizen scientists, greatly contribute to establishing accurate thresholds for the model. Mahalo for your support!

Please submit your photos at:

pacioos.org/wm

pacioos.org/wm

To view photo submissions, please check out:

pacioos.org/wmm

pacioos.org/wmm