Is the Flu Going Around in Hawaii Right Now? March 2026 Update
15-Second Answer
- Hawaii’s latest flu signal is currently low in CDC ILINet data.
- Hawaii can still see off-season flu circulation, so a low reading is not the same thing as zero risk year-round.
- For the fastest local read, check the Hawaii flu page first and then the Hawaii statewide health overview for what else is circulating.
Flu in Hawaii: What’s Different About the Islands
Hawaii has a unique flu pattern compared to the mainland United States. While most states see flu peak in winter (December-February), Hawaii can experience flu activity year-round due to its tropical climate and heavy international tourism from Asia-Pacific countries where flu circulates on a different seasonal calendar.
See the latest data on the Hawaii flu activity page and the broader Hawaii health overview.
Current Flu Activity
As of late March 2026, Hawaii’s flu levels are being tracked by the CDC’s ILINet surveillance network. Because Hawaii has a smaller reporting population than mainland states, week-to-week numbers can be more variable.
Check our Hawaii flu dashboard for the current ILI rate, trend chart, and comparison to the national average, then use the Hawaii health overview if you also want RSV, COVID-19, and measles context.
Why Hawaii’s Flu Season Is Different
Several factors make Hawaii’s flu epidemiology unique:
- Year-round circulation. Unlike mainland states where flu drops to near-zero in summer, Hawaii sees low-level flu activity throughout the year.
- Tourism exposure. Millions of visitors from Japan, Australia, and other Asia-Pacific countries bring flu strains that may differ from what’s circulating on the mainland.
- Multiple peaks. Hawaii sometimes sees a smaller summer peak in addition to the winter peak.
- Island variation. Flu activity can differ between the major islands based on local population density and tourism patterns.
Other Health Data for Hawaii
- Hawaii RSV activity — RSV hospitalizations
- Hawaii COVID-19 activity — ER visit data
- Hawaii measles cases — Case tracking
- Hawaii MMR vaccination rate — Coverage data
- What’s going around in Hawaii? — Full health dashboard
About This Data
Hawaii flu data comes from the CDC’s ILINet surveillance network. Due to Hawaii’s smaller population and unique geography, flu data may show more week-to-week variability than larger mainland states. See our methods page for details on how we process this data.
Updated weekly. See the Hawaii flu dashboard and the Hawaii health overview for the latest numbers and statewide context.
See the latest data: Flu Activity Dashboard
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Updated
Apr 9, 2026
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State and national outpatient surveillance
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