HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Hone is expected to bring gusty winds and rain to the southern edges of Hawaii this weekend, potentially causing flooding and wind damage on the Big Island and increasing the risk of wildfires in drier parts of the islands.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Hawaii County, which covers the entire Big Island, and 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 Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
The hurricane is expected to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane over the course of 12 hours on Sunday, but it will likely have passed the Big Island by then, according to Laura Farris, a meteorologist with the weather service in Honolulu.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has told travelers it is still safe to visit the islands but is advising people to postpone outdoor activities.
“We do not advise visitors to cancel their trip,” 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 on Friday evening.
The eastern and southeastern portions of the Big Island could receive 5 to 10 inches (11 to 25 centimeters) of rain. The island could experience sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 km/h) and gusts near 60 mph (97 km/h).
Dry air to the north of the storm will spread arid conditions across the archipelago on Saturday, which, combined with strong winds, will increase the risk of wildfires. Much of the state is already abnormally dry or in 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. The warning is issued when warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds combine to create a fire hazard.
The situation is reminiscent of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui, which were fanned by hurricane-force winds. But Farris said the risk of wildfires near Hone is lower.
The fire that broke out on August 8, 2023 historic town of Lahaina caused the deadliest wildfire in US in more than a century. Strong winds Partly fanned by a hurricane that swept across southern Hawaii, it helped fan the flames that killed 102 people. Dry, overgrown grasses and drought helped spread the fire.
The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, both said they will monitor conditions this weekend in case they need to shut off power to reduce the risk of fires caused by damaged power lines.
The cause of the fire in Lahaina is still under investigation, but it is possible that it is inflamed by bare electricity wires and crooked electricity poles that have fallen over due to strong winds.
East of Hone, Hurricane Gilma was moving across the Pacific Ocean as a Category 2 storm and was expected to weaken as it moves over cooler waters and encounters drier air over the next few days. It is expected to become a tropical depression on Wednesday.
According to Farris, Gilma may bring rain to Hawaii, but it’s unclear how much.