HONOLULU – Tropical Storm Hone approached Hawaii on Saturday with gusty winds and heavy rain that could cause flooding on the Big Island and increase the risk of wildfires on the drier sides of the island.
Hone, which means “sweet and gentle” in Hawaiian, had peak winds of 65 mph early Saturday. It will likely strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as it passes near or south of the Big Island from Saturday afternoon into early Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“They have to take this seriously,” said Calvin Endo, a member of the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Committee who lives in Makaha, a sheltered neighborhood on Oahu that is prone to wildfires.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Big Island, and a red flag fire warning was issued for the leeward sides of all islands until 6 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service issues the warning when warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds combine to increase the fire danger.
According to the US Drought Monitor, much of the archipelago is already experiencing unusual dryness or drought. Winds are expected to be strongest where they blow from higher elevations, over headlands and through passes, the hurricane center warned.
The situation is reminiscent of the deadly wildfires on Maui last year, which were fueled by hurricane-force winds. While there is a high fire danger in Honolulu, “it is not on the scale of this magnitude,” Honolulu weather service meteorologist Derek Wroe said Saturday.
The August 8, 2023, fire that burned the historic town of Lahaina was the worst wildfire in the United States in over a century. Strong winds, fueled in part by a hurricane that passed through southern Hawaii, fueled the flames that killed 102 people. Dry, overgrown grass and drought contributed to the fire’s spread.
Endo has been concerned about the dry brush on the private property behind his house for years. He took matters into his own hands and removed the brush himself, but he worries about the nearby homes that border the overgrown vegetation, which could fuel fires.
“All you need is fire and wind, and we have a new Lahaina,” Endo said Saturday morning. “I see the wind has already picked up.”
The cause of the Lahaina fire is still under investigation, but it is possible that it was started by bare power lines and leaning power poles that were toppled by the high winds.
The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, said they would monitor the situation this weekend and were prepared to shut off power if necessary to reduce the risk that live or damaged power lines could start fires.
Hawaii’s tourism authority told travelers it was still safe to visit the islands, but recommended people postpone outdoor activities.
Hone was centered about 220 miles southeast of Hilo and 425 miles east-southeast of Honolulu on Saturday morning.
In the east and southeast of the Big Island, 12 to 25 centimeters of rain could fall. Sustained winds of 32 to 65 km/h and gusts of up to 96 km/h could be expected on the island, the hurricane center said.
Behind Hone, Category 2 Hurricane Gilma moved westward across the Pacific. However, it is expected to weaken over cooler waters in the coming days as it encounters drier air. It is expected to become a tropical depression by Wednesday. Gilma could bring rain to Hawaii, but it is still unclear how much, said Laura Farris, a meteorologist with the weather service in Honolulu.
By Audrey McAvoy and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
