Tropical Storm Hone, with sustained winds of 65 mph, is expected to impact the Big Island Saturday through this morning with strong winds, dangerous surf and torrential rain.
On Saturday evening, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, which had issued a tropical storm warning earlier in the day, reported that Hone was located 125 miles south-southeast of Hilo and moving west at 15 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph. On its current track through this morning, Hone is expected to brush the southern slopes of the Big Island, with flash flooding possible.
The National Weather Service said strong, gusty easterly winds and at times heavy rain are expected through Monday as Hone passes south of the Hawaiian Islands.
As Hone approached on Saturday, Hawaii County authorities urged residents to take all necessary precautions.
“We ask everyone to remain vigilant and put their safety first during this time,” Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said in a statement. “Our operations center is fully activated and we are working closely with all relevant agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Please prepare now and look out for your neighbors, especially our kupuna and those who may need additional assistance.”
In response to the storm, Hawaii County has closed the Waipio Valley Access Road until further notice, canceled overnight sites at Whittington and Punaluu beach parks, and suspended Hele-On bus service for the weekend. Public shelters have been opened at Pahoa, Keaau and Waiakea high schools, Mountain View Elementary and Honokaa High and Intermediate School.
Other attractions around the island were closed as the storm approached, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which closed coastal and remote areas around the summit of Mauna Loa to day hikes and overnight camping. Park officials said the areas would reopen as soon as it was safe to do so.
In advance of the tropical storm, Governor Josh Green issued a statewide emergency declaration on Saturday “to provide necessary state resources,” perhaps an over-the-top precaution following the deadly Maui wildfires on August 8, 2023, sparked by winds from a passing storm.
“Hone is expected to produce strong winds and high waves across the state, and possible localized and moderate flooding in Maui and Hawaii counties,” the governor’s proclamation states. “Given the strong winds caused by Hone and existing drought conditions, it is critical that the state and counties be prepared to rapidly deploy personnel and resources, such as the National Guard, to respond to any wildfires that may threaten life, safety, or property.”
The government’s emergency disaster relief effort is expected to last until Monday.
Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric Co. was preparing for possible power outages related to Hone. After the National Weather Service lifted its wildfire warning and the updated weather forecast predicted rainfall and increased humidity that would reduce the risk of wildfires, the utility also said it had decided to no longer consider a power shutoff as a safety measure.
The utility said it had activated its emergency plan and was prepared to “respond quickly to customer outages and other potential impacts to its systems.”
HECO’s activities include, but are not limited to, sourcing additional resources such as contractors and equipment, ensuring fuel supplies for trucks and other equipment are replenished, planning the mobilization of field teams and equipment to locations where they can respond as quickly as possible, and securing facilities to ensure the safety of employees and equipment.
Strong winds and flooding can damage utilities or blow trees and debris into power lines, causing outages. When the weather improves, power lines will need to be inspected, possibly using helicopters and drones, and any damage will need to be repaired before service can be restored, the utility said.
The American Red Cross of Hawaii also prepared to increase staffing by deploying volunteers on each island to assist in relief efforts.
“Now is the time to get Red Cross ready, refresh your emergency kit and take safety measures,” Tony Briggs, interim CEO of the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region, said in a statement. “We are working with local authorities and taking immediate precautions to prepare ourselves and our community.”
The Red Cross gave residents safety tips for the storm, including preparing for a quick evacuation and knowing evacuation routes and destinations, filling your car with gas, bringing pets indoors and preparing a pet emergency kit, using flashlights instead of candles as they pose a fire hazard, staying indoors and avoiding beaches, river banks and flood waters.
During flooding, do not walk, swim or drive through the floodwaters; in other words, turn back, do not drown.
Meanwhile, another storm, Hurricane Gilma, is approaching Hawaii. Gilma was located about 1,600 miles (2,597 kilometers) east of Hilo on Saturday evening and had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph) with stronger gusts as it moved west at 9 mph (14 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Current weather forecasts predict Gilma will weaken but may bring more rainfall as it passes the Hawaiian Islands later this week.
