Hurricane Hone within 60 miles Hawaii’s big island early Sunday, brings heavy rainwhich resulted in power outages for thousands of customers and damage to native vegetation. About 15,000 residents of a region of about 206,000 were without power.
Officials report minimal damage
Mitch Roth, the mayor of Hawaii Countyreported that there were no injuries or major damage. Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd stressed that nearly 18 inches of rain fell around the volcanoes in the south of the island, but that winds and flooding were not strong.
Todd added: “We live on an island in the Pacific where the water can drain into the sea relatively quickly.”
Forecast and community reaction
Meteorologists expect Hone, a Category 1 storm moving westward beneath the islands, could still bring up to 20 inches of rain in some areas. The storm is expected to develop more slowly and accumulate moisture over the islands, which could increase the risk of heavy rain and Flash flood nationwide.
For many residents, Hone was no cause for concern. On Saturday night, a local baseball league made up mostly of older adults held its banquet at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau, using windbreaks to protect participants from gusts.
Other residents paid closer attention to the rain. Kumiko Mattison drove from her home in Kaumana to Keaukaha, near the water. Although she observed swollen waters and rising tides during her drive, she found no damage to wetlands and fishponds upon arrival.
In Nanawale Estates, about 20 miles south, Sean O’Phelan was worried that rain and wind would uproot trees around his small cabin. O’Phelan, who lives off-grid and uses solar power and a rainwater storage system, had a tree damage his carport during a storm less than a year ago.
“We’re all pretty confident that we can give aloha to our neighbors and keep everyone safe,” O’Phelan said, noting the community’s willingness to support one another during disasters.
On Friday, Hawaii Electric, the most important Electricity supply companiesprepared to shut off power in areas with a high risk of wildfires to prevent possible fires caused by strong winds. Late Saturday, however, National Weather Service had lifted the forest fire warning, after which the utility company reversed possible power outages.
Hurricane Gilma continues to cause concern
Residents also watched Hurricane Gilma, a Category 3 storm east of Hawaii, although forecasters expected it to weaken to a tropical depression before the state is reached.
Meteorologist Ian Morrison of the National Weather Service in Honolulu expressed hope that the rains in Gilma would be spread out over a day or two and not break out in one heavy downpour.
Officials report minimal damage
Mitch Roth, the mayor of Hawaii Countyreported that there were no injuries or major damage. Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd stressed that nearly 18 inches of rain fell around the volcanoes in the south of the island, but that winds and flooding were not strong.
Todd added: “We live on an island in the Pacific where the water can drain into the sea relatively quickly.”
Forecast and community reaction
Meteorologists expect Hone, a Category 1 storm moving westward beneath the islands, could still bring up to 20 inches of rain in some areas. The storm is expected to develop more slowly and accumulate moisture over the islands, which could increase the risk of heavy rain and Flash flood nationwide.
For many residents, Hone was no cause for concern. On Saturday night, a local baseball league made up mostly of older adults held its banquet at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau, using windbreaks to protect participants from gusts.
Other residents paid closer attention to the rain. Kumiko Mattison drove from her home in Kaumana to Keaukaha, near the water. Although she observed swollen waters and rising tides during her drive, she found no damage to wetlands and fishponds upon arrival.
In Nanawale Estates, about 20 miles south, Sean O’Phelan was worried that rain and wind would uproot trees around his small cabin. O’Phelan, who lives off-grid and uses solar power and a rainwater storage system, had a tree damage his carport during a storm less than a year ago.
“We’re all pretty confident that we can give aloha to our neighbors and keep everyone safe,” O’Phelan said, noting the community’s willingness to support one another during disasters.
On Friday, Hawaii Electric, the most important Electricity supply companiesprepared to shut off power in areas with a high risk of wildfires to prevent possible fires caused by strong winds. Late Saturday, however, National Weather Service had lifted the forest fire warning, after which the utility company reversed possible power outages.
Hurricane Gilma continues to cause concern
Residents also watched Hurricane Gilma, a Category 3 storm east of Hawaii, although forecasters expected it to weaken to a tropical depression before the state is reached.
Meteorologist Ian Morrison of the National Weather Service in Honolulu expressed hope that the rains in Gilma would be spread out over a day or two and not break out in one heavy downpour.
