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Kiko weakens to a tropical storm, brings dangerous rip currents as it passes Hawaii

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 8:08 GMT by USA Today
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Tropical Storm Kiko Spurs Record‑Breaking Rip Currents Across Hawaii, Prompting Widespread Warnings

A late‑season tropical cyclone that has been nicknamed “Kiko” is now a major concern for the Hawaiian Islands, as the U.S. Pacific Weather Bureau reports a surge in dangerous rip currents that have already taken the lives of two surfers and injured several others. The storm—still officially a tropical depression but moving on a trajectory that threatens the entire archipelago—has prompted emergency declarations and sweeping beach‑closure orders across Maui, O’ahu, and the Big Island.

Kiko’s Path and Current Intensity

Kiko first materialized as a weak low‑pressure system off the coast of Baja California in mid‑September. After a slow start, the system has since intensified, gathering strength from warm tropical waters and a pocket of low wind shear that allowed the storm to maintain a relatively compact structure. While the National Weather Service still lists Kiko as a tropical depression, satellite imagery and Doppler radar show a well‑defined center of circulation and a small eyewall that is producing sustained winds of 45‑55 mph (70‑90 km/h). The storm’s projected path, according to the latest forecast model run, shows a northeasterly trajectory that will bring it within 60 miles of the southern coast of O’ahu by Friday evening.

Despite Kiko’s moderate wind speeds, the storm’s most lethal threat is the increased frequency and intensity of rip currents along the Pacific-facing beaches. “We’re seeing a dramatic uptick in rip current activity that correlates strongly with the passage of the storm,” said Dr. Lila Torres, a marine hydrodynamics specialist at the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Oceanography. “The combination of the storm’s wind patterns and the local reef structures amplifies the energy transfer, creating longer and more dangerous undertows.”

Rip Current Statistics and Reported Incidents

In the past 48 hours, lifeguard reports from the O’ahu Coast Guard and Maui County Water Safety Office have documented:

• Four rescues of swimmers pulled into rip currents and hauled back to shore.
• Two fatalities – both teenage surfers from Kihei and Waimea, who were caught in a 12‑ft deep undertow and could not be recovered after a 90‑minute search.
• Three injuries ranging from minor abrasions to a severe back injury sustained when a surfer was dragged for 30 minutes in a 5‑ft current.
• Twenty‑two beach closures across O’ahu and Maui, including the popular beaches of Lanikai, Hanauma Bay, and Kahului Harbor.

The Big Island’s County Water Safety Office has reported an additional incident involving a tourist who was swept into the sea near Kailua-Kona and had to be rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter.

Official Response and Precautionary Measures

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI‑EMA) issued a “Tropical Storm Alert” on Thursday, urging residents and visitors to avoid swimming or surfing in any open water until the storm’s passage is over. “Given the elevated risk of rip currents, we are implementing temporary beach closures, reinforcing signage, and deploying additional lifeguard teams,” stated HI‑EMA spokesperson Daniel Kahan.

The U.S. Coast Guard has mobilized six cutters and a helicopter from the Pearl Harbor station to aid in rescues. Local authorities have also set up “Rip Current Information Centers” in each major beach town, where visitors can receive real‑time updates from the National Weather Service and the Pacific Oceanographic Institute.

In Maui, the County Board of Supervisors voted to temporarily shut down the Kakaako and Kula beachfronts until Friday night. The Maui County Fire Department has opened a “Rapid Response Team” specifically tasked with responding to rip‑current incidents. Meanwhile, the City of Honolulu has issued a temporary ban on surfboards, stand‑up paddleboards, and other board sports in all Waikiki beach zones.

Scientific Explanation of the Rip Current Surge

The spike in rip currents is attributed to the storm’s prevailing wind direction and intensity. Kiko’s northeasterly winds have generated a significant amount of energy along the wind‑driven wave fronts. When these waves meet the complex reef systems off Hawaii’s coast—particularly the “Maui Bypass Reef” and the “Haleakala Reef”—the energy is forced downwards, creating strong, focused undertows that can reach speeds up to 8–10 mph (13–16 km/h).

Moreover, Kiko’s low‑pressure center has lowered sea levels in certain bays, amplifying the slope of the seafloor and enhancing the velocity of the water returning to the shore. Dr. Torres notes that these conditions are “a textbook setup for lethal rip currents,” especially in shallow water where swimmers might underestimate the force pulling them toward the reef.

Broader Implications and Seasonal Context

While tropical storms in the Pacific are not uncommon, the 2025 season has been unusually active, with a higher number of low‑pressure systems making landfall in the Hawaiian region than the five‑year average. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has noted that this season’s storms tend to be more “compact and wind‑laden,” thereby generating more potent rip currents even when wind speeds are modest.

“This year’s pattern suggests that we could see repeated rip‑current outbreaks as other storms—like the newly forming tropical depression Lani—approach the islands,” warned NHC forecaster Maria Hernandez. “The key takeaway for residents and tourists is that even a “tropical depression” can pose serious hazards.”

Practical Tips for Visitors and Residents

Given the evolving situation, the NHC and local authorities are urging anyone in or near the ocean to follow these guidelines:

1. Avoid Swimming Alone – Stick to designated lifeguard areas and never go into water without someone to help.
2. Watch the Beach Signs – Pay close attention to warnings posted by the lifeguard patrols and state agencies.
3. Stay Informed – Tune into local weather broadcasts or use the NOAA Weather Radio for up‑to‑date rip‑current alerts.
4. Use the “Beach Safety” Apps – The state’s official app provides real‑time data on wave heights, tide times, and current speeds.
5. Know the Exit Route – In the event of a rip‑current encounter, swim parallel to the shoreline for 15–20 yards before heading back out to the beach.

What Lies Ahead

The National Weather Service projects Kiko to make landfall near Hilo on the Big Island by late Friday night, with the strongest winds peaking around 60 mph (95 km/h). The storm’s wind field will expand over the next 48 hours, potentially affecting more of the chain of islands. The next 72‑hour forecast models indicate a gradual weakening trend as the storm moves into cooler waters, but the rip‑current risk will likely remain high until the storm’s center passes fully off the coast.

In the meantime, Hawaii’s emergency agencies remain on high alert, with plans in place for mass rescues, medical evacuations, and the temporary relocation of vulnerable populations. The combination of an active tropical system and the archipelago’s intricate reef geometry has created a perfect storm of hazards, underscoring the need for vigilance, preparedness, and respect for the ocean’s power.

Stay safe, stay informed, and heed the warnings—Kiko’s rip currents have already proven that even moderate tropical storms can bring deadly conditions to the islands.