As it approached Hawaii on Saturday night, tropical storm Hone turned into a Category 1 hurricane, raising concerns about wildfire risks and extreme weather conditions.
With strong winds reaching 75 mph ( 120 kph ), just above the 74 mph ( 119 kph ) threshold for a hurricane, Hone was located approximately 105 miles ( 170 km ) south of Hilo on the Big Island and 275 miles ( 440 km ) southeast of Honolulu, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center ( CPHC ) in Honolulu, reported the Associated Press.
As the storm moved westward at 12 mph ( 19 kph ), a tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Big Island. Experts are warning of dangerous situations throughout the state as the hurricane reaches its maximum strength between Sunday and Monday.
The storm’s name, Hone—meaning” lovely and gentle” in Hawaiian—contrasts with the powerful winds and heavy rains expected to hit Hawaii’s lee sides, which have been specially dry due to ongoing drought conditions.
According to the US Drought Monitor, the majority of the state is sometimes experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, increasing the risk of fire. A red flag fire warning is in effect for the starboard factors of all archipelago, which remain vulnerable to fire occurrences due to hot temperatures, low humidity, and powerful breezes.
” They gotta take this thing serious”, said Calvin Endo, a resident of Makaha, a wildfire-prone area on Oahu’s leeward coast. He expressed concern about the dry brush surrounding his neighbourhood, saying,” All you need is fire and wind and we’ll have another Lahaina”.
” Times have changed, and we have to be ready for anything”, Endo said, echoing the concerns felt by many across the islands.
The threat is comparable to the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui last year, which left 102 people dead and destroyed the town of Lahaina. The National Weather Service’s meteorologists have nevertheless assured the public that while Hone does not pose the same catastrophic threat, it does.
Meteorologist Derek Wroe argued that the risk of wildfire increased when Hone was compared to the 2023 Lahaina blaze, but that “it’s not on the magnitude of that.” Although initial reports suggest that downed power lines may be the cause of the fire, the cause is still being looked into.
In an effort to stop potential fires brought on by damaged power lines, Hawaiian Electric and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative have announced they are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to cut off power if things worsen.
Firefighters in Waikoloa were reportedly contained to a small blaze on Friday night, according to Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth. The mayor claimed that “bands of rain” were planned throughout the day despite the fire’s absence of any injuries or damage.
Rainfall predictions for the eastern and southeastern parts of the Big Island range between 5 and 10 inches ( 11 to 25 cm ), with sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 kph ) and gusts nearing 60 mph (97 kph ). Officials are prepared to reopen shelters if necessary in some of the Big Island beaches, but others have been closed.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma, currently far from land, has strengthened to Category 3 status, though it is expected to weaken as it moves into cooler waters and a more stable atmosphere. Hawaii is still on high alert as the storm gets closer, with locals and visitors urged to stay alert and postpone outdoor activities until the storm passes.
