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Hurricanes Bypass Hawaii, Leaving Western Islands a Mystery
10 Sep
Summary
- Kiko hurricane mostly bypassed Hawaii, fading into the Pacific
- Only 13 organized storms made landfall or passed within 10 miles of Hawaii since 1950
- Western end of the Hawaiian island chain remains largely unexplored
On September 10th, 2025, Hurricane Kiko continued its journey past the main Hawaiian islands, leaving behind a wake of moisture and winds that are expected to cause heavy rain in isolated areas. This is a familiar story for Hawaii, as the state has largely been spared direct landfalls from hurricanes and tropical storms over the years.
In fact, the centers of only 13 organized tropical storms or hurricanes have made landfall or passed within ten miles of one of the main Hawaiian islands since 1950, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is a stark contrast to other hurricane-prone states like Florida, which has seen the centers of 324 such storms within 50 miles since 1950.
The western end of the Hawaiian island chain, stretching over 1,200 miles, remains a mystery to many. This region, which includes atolls, reefs, and volcanoes beneath the sea, has been the final resting place for numerous storms that have spared the more well-known islands a direct hit. The area is protected as part of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary and is not easily accessible, making it a largely unexplored part of the Hawaiian archipelago.
