HONOLULU (AP) – Tropical Storm Hone is expected to whip gusts and drop rain on the southern edges of Hawaii today, potentially inflicting flooding and wind damage on the Big Island and raising 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 all of the Big Island and a red flag warning for the leeward sides of all islands.
Hone, which means ‘sweet and soft’ in Hawaiian, will likely gradually strengthen and become a strong tropical storm as it passes south of the islands today, the National Weather Service said.
It’s expected to become a Category 1 hurricane for a 12-hour period today but will likely be past the Big Island by that point, said weather service meteorologist in Honolulu Laura Farris.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority told travellers it’s still safe to come to the islands but recommended that people postpone outdoor activities.
“We are not advising visitors to cancel their trips,” the agency said in a news release.
Hone was 685 kilometres (km) east-southeast of Hilo and 1,025km east-southeast of Honolulu late on Friday.
