This image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Storm Hone continuing to move west toward the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday.
AP/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
hide caption
convert caption
AP/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Hone, whose Hawaiian name means “sweet and soft,” edged closer to the islands on Saturday with winds expected to strengthen — and increased the risk of wildfires in dry parts of the state even as memories of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui remain fresh.
Hone (pronounced hoe-NEH), with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h), is forecast to strengthen slightly over the next two days, but Hone is expected to remain below hurricane strength at its peak Sunday through Monday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Big Island, and a red flag fire warning has been issued for the leeward sides of all islands through 6 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service issued the warning as warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds combine to increase the risk of wildfires.
“They have to take this seriously,” said Calvin Endo, a Waianae Coast neighborhood council member who lives in Makaha, a wildfire-prone neighborhood on Oahu.
Most of the archipelago is unusually dry or in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Winds are expected to be strongest downhill from higher terrain, over headlands and over passes, according to the hurricane center.
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 risk, “it’s not to that extent,” Honolulu weather service meteorologist Derek Wroe said Saturday.
The August 8, 2023, fire that burned through the historic town of Lahaina was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century, killing 102 people. Dry, dense grass and drought contributed to the fire’s spread.
For years, Endo had been concerned about the bush on the private land behind his house. He took matters into his own hands by clearing the bush himself, but he was concerned about the nearby homes that bordered the dense vegetation.
“All you need is fire and wind and we’ll have another Lahaina,” Endo said that morning. “I notice the wind is starting to pick up.”
The cause of the Lahaina fire is still under investigation, but it is likely that it started from exposed power lines and a leaning power pole blown down by high winds.
The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, said they will monitor the situation this weekend and be prepared to shut off power if necessary to reduce the risk of damaged live power lines that could spark fires.
Firefighters remain at the scene of a small fire that broke out Friday night in Waikoloa, on the dry side of the Big Island. The fire is under control and has caused no injuries or damage, Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said.
“We’re expecting rain all day long,” Roth said from Hilo, on the east side of the island, where it’s been raining.
The island had enough rain by late Saturday to cancel the red flag warning, although the warning remained in effect for other islands, said Ian Morrison, a meteorologist with the weather service in Honolulu.
Roth said officials have closed several Big Island beach parks in preparation for the possibility of dangerously large surf and are prepared to open shelters if necessary.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has advised visitors that it is still safe to visit the islands but recommends postponing outdoor activities.
On Saturday, Hone was about 155 miles (249 km) south-southeast of Hilo and 355 miles (571 km) east-southeast of Honolulu.
Eastern and southeastern areas of the Big Island could see 5 to 10 inches (11 to 25 centimeters) of rain. Weather officials said the island could see sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 km/h) and gusts near 60 mph (97 km/h).
Moving west across the Pacific Ocean behind Hone was Hurricane Gilma, which strengthened into a Category 3 storm Saturday afternoon as it moved farther from land. Forecasts call for the storm to strengthen slightly before weakening as it moves through cooler sea surface temperatures and into drier, more stable air, the National Hurricane Center said.
