- American Airlines has a Northeast travel waiver through Aug. 26 for eligible itineraries, but not the Hawaii terms described elsewhere.
- Hawaii advisories name Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines for Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue flights affected by earlier storms.
- Tropical Storm Moke could bring five to fifteen inches of rain to the Big Island, raising flood and mudslide risks.
American Airlines has a travel waiver through Aug. 26 for eligible itineraries involving affected Northeast airports, while the current Hawaii-specific material names Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines for Honolulu, Maui, Kona and Lihue. The headline’s claim of an American policy for those four Hawaii airports is not supported by the waiver language available here.
The Northeast policy permits qualifying passengers to change flights without change fees and, in many cases, without paying a fare difference. It does not establish the Hawaii terms described in the separate advisories.
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The Hawaii notices cover Honolulu (HNL), Kahului/Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH). Those notices followed disruptions from Hurricane Lala. Their posted travel dates ran through Monday, and their rebooking windows extended through August 20.
Check the carrier on the reservation first. The airline named on the ticket controls the applicable waiver.
Tropical Storm Moke is now moving toward the islands. As of Aug. 23, it was southeast of the Big Island, traveling west-northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
Rainfall on the Big Island could total 5 to 15 inches. Ground already saturated by Lala could worsen the danger of flash floods and mudslides.
Governor Josh Green, M.D., asked for a Presidential Emergency Declaration on Aug. 22. His request covered Hawaiʻi County, Maui County, and the City and County of Honolulu.
“Our teams are working on two fronts: helping communities recover from Lala while preparing for Moke. I urge everyone to remain alert, follow official updates and avoid unnecessary risks.”
The Hawaii terms identify Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
The posted Hawaii conditions set out eligibility by airport, ticket-purchase date and travel period. They also describe replacement dates and a deadline for completing changes.
| Requirement | Posted Hawaii term |
|---|---|
| Covered airports | Honolulu (HNL), Kahului/Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), Lihue (LIH) |
| Ticket purchase deadline | August 21, 2026 |
| Original travel dates | August 22 and August 26, 2026 |
| New travel window | August 22 and August 31, 2026 |
| Rebooking deadline | August 26, 2026 |
| Fare coverage | All fare classes, including Basic Economy, according to the posted notes |
| Routing conditions | Origin and destination cities must remain the same; passengers must rebook in the same cabin |
The same material says Alaska and Hawaiian customers could “change or cancel their flights” without additional fees. A different cabin could trigger a fare difference under the listed conditions.
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines also matched flexible rebooking policies, with most of those waivers extending through at least August 26, 2026. The available Hawaii language does not assign those specific island terms to the carrier’s Northeast advisory.
Storm damage continues to constrain Hawaii travel
The preceding storm already disrupted schedules across the state. Laura Masvidal, an American Airlines spokesperson, confirmed that Hurricane Lala caused nearly 300 American Airlines and American Eagle flight cancellations as of mid-August 2026.
More than 140 inter-island and transpacific flights were canceled during Lala. Travelers have been urged to avoid going to the airport without a confirmed seat.
Road access remains impaired on Hawaiʻi Island. Māmalahoa Highway (Route 11) is still being repaired after a 25-foot-deep washout near Pāhala Hospital, complicating evacuation routes as Moke approaches.
Hawaiʻi County began opening emergency shelters on the evening of August 22, 2026, for people in flood-prone areas. The Hawaiʻi National Guard has positioned 153 personnel statewide, with task forces assigned to high-risk parts of Hawaiʻi Island.
Hilo and Kona are reviewing conditions hour by hour
Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) airports are monitoring conditions hourly. Both terminals remain open, but most evening flights scheduled for August 23 have been canceled in advance.
The carrier’s general alert says severe weather or other uncontrollable events may allow passengers to alter a trip without a fee. It does not, in the material available here, provide the same Hawaii-specific terms listed for Alaska and Hawaiian customers.
Travelers should verify the individual itinerary, the operating airport and the carrier’s latest advisory before departing. Airport conditions can change as Moke moves west.
