Hone strengthens to Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Hawaii: NPR

HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Hone has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane and is approaching Hawaii late Saturday, meteorologists said.

Hone (pronounced hoo-NEH) had top winds of 75 mph (120 kph), according to an 11 p.m. advisory from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. The minimum threshold for a hurricane is 74 mph (119 kph).

A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Big Island as the storm moved west at 12 mph (19 kph), about 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 270 miles (440 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu, the center said.

The hurricane center, part of the National Weather Service, previously said Hone is expected to remain just below hurricane strength Sunday through Monday.

The storm, whose name means “sweet and gentle” in Hawaiian, approached the islands on Saturday with winds expected to intensify and increase the risk of wildfires in drier parts of the state, even though memories of last year’s deadly fires on Maui are still fresh.

A red flag fire warning was in effect for the leeward sides of all islands until 6 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service issues the warning when warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds combine to increase the fire danger.

“They need to take this seriously,” said Calvin Endo, a Waianae Coast community board member who lives in Makaha, a fire-prone neighborhood on Oahu’s lee shores.

Most of the archipelago is already abnormally dry or in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Winds are expected to be strongest where they blow down from higher ground, over headlands and through passes, the hurricane center advised.

The situation is reminiscent of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui, which were fanned by hurricane-force winds. But while Hone poses a high fire danger, “it’s not of that magnitude,” weather service meteorologist Derek Wroe said Saturday in Honolulu.

The August 8, 2023, fire that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, killing 102 people. Dry, overgrown grass and drought conditions helped the fire spread.

For years, Endo has been concerned about dry brush on private property behind his home. He has taken matters into his own hands by clearing the brush himself, but he worries about nearby homes that are bordered by overgrown vegetation.

“All you need is fire and wind and we’ve got another Lahaina,” Endo said in the morning. “I can tell the wind’s already picking up.”

The cause of the Lahaina fire is still under investigation, but it is possible it was started by bare electrical wires and leaning utility poles toppled by high winds.

The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, said they would monitor conditions this weekend and be ready to shut off power if necessary to reduce the chance of live, damaged power lines starting fires.

Firefighters remained at the scene of a small fire that started Friday night in Waikoloa, on the dry side of the Big Island, according to Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth. The fire was contained and caused no injuries or damage.

“We expect to see bands of rain throughout the day,” Roth said from Hilo, on the east side of the island, where it was raining.

According to Ian Morrison, a meteorologist with the Honolulu weather service, the island received enough rain later Saturday to lift the severe weather warning, but the warnings remained in effect for the other islands.

Roth said authorities closed several beach parks on the Big Island over fears of dangerously high waves and were preparing to open shelters if needed.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has told travelers it is still safe to visit the islands but recommends postponing outdoor activities.

Hone was located about 155 miles (249 kilometers) southeast of Hilo and 350 miles (571 kilometers) east-southeast of Honolulu on Saturday.

The eastern and southeastern parts of the Big Island could get 5 to 10 inches (11 to 25 centimeters) of rain. The island could get sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 km/h) and gusts near 60 mph (97 km/h), weather officials said.

Moving westward across the Pacific behind Hone was Hurricane Gilma, which strengthened to a Category 3 level far from land Saturday afternoon. The forecast called for some additional strengthening before gradually weakening as it moved over cooler sea surface temperatures and into a drier, more stable air mass, the National Hurricane Center said.