HONOLULU – Tropical Storm Hone is expected to bring gusts and rain to the southern edges of Hawaii this weekend, potentially causing flooding and storm damage on the Big Island and increasing the risk of wildfires on the drier sides of the islands.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Hawaii County, which includes the entire Big Island, as well as a red flag warning for the leeward sides of all islands.
Hone, which means “sweet and gentle” in Hawaiian, is likely to gradually strengthen and become a strong tropical storm as it passes south of the islands on Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
It is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane for 12 hours on Sunday, but will likely have already passed the Big Island by that time, said Laura Farris, a meteorologist with the Honolulu Weather Service.
Hawaii’s tourism authority told travelers it was still safe to visit the islands, but recommended people postpone outdoor activities.
“We do not advise visitors to cancel their trips,” the agency said in a press release.
Hone was located 425 miles (685 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo and 640 miles (1,025 kilometers) east-southeast of Honolulu late Friday.
The east and southeast of the Big Island could see 4 to 10 inches of rain. The island could experience sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 km/h) and gusts of up to 60 mph (97 km/h).
Dry air north of the storm will bring dry spells across the archipelago on Saturday, which combined with strong winds will increase the risk of wildfires. Most of the state is already experiencing unusual dryness or drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, adding to the dangers.
The weather service’s “Red Flag” warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. It is issued when warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds combine to increase the fire danger.
The situation is reminiscent of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui, which were fueled by hurricane-force winds. But Farris said Hone’s wildfire danger is lower.
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.
The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, said they would closely monitor the situation this weekend to ensure they could shut off power in the event of fires under live or damaged power lines.
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.
East of Hone, Hurricane Gilma was moving across the Pacific as a Category 2 storm and was expected to weaken over the coming days as it moves over cooler waters and encounters drier air. It was forecast to become a tropical depression by Wednesday.
Gilma could bring rain to Hawaii, but it’s not clear how much, Farris said.
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