This image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Storm Hone as it continues to track west toward the Hawaiian Islands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP
Tropical Storm Hone, the Hawaiian name for “sweet and soft,” approached the island on Saturday (August 24, 2024) with winds expected to intensify — and increase the risk of wildfires in drier parts of the country even as memories linger. fresh from last year’s deadly blazes in Maui.
Hone (pronounced hoe-NEH) has top winds of 105 km/h. A slight increase in strength is forecast over the next two days, but Hone is expected to remain below hurricane strength during its peak Sunday (August 25, 2024) through Monday (August 26, 2024), according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Big Island, and a red flag fire warning is issued for the leeward side of the entire island until 6pm on Saturday (August 24, 2024). The National Weather Service is issuing alerts as warm temperatures, extreme humidity and stronger winds combine to increase fire danger.
“They need to take this thing seriously,” said Calvin Endo, a Waianae Coast environmental council member who lives in Makaha, a wildfire-prone Oahu neighborhood.
Most of the archipelago is dry or parched, according to the US Drought Monitor. Winds are predicted to be strongest when they blow down from higher terrain, over headlands and over passes, the hurricane center advises.
The situation is reminiscent of last year’s deadly wildfires in Maui, caused by hurricanes. But while Hone issued a high fire warning, “it doesn’t matter how big it is,” weather service meteorologist Derek Wroe in Honolulu said Saturday (Aug. 24, 2024).
The August 8, 2023 fire that killed the historic town of Lahaina was the largest fire in the US in more than a century, with 102 deaths. Dry, overgrown grass and drought help spread the fire.
For years, Mr. Endo has been concerned about dry brush on his private property behind his house. He has solved his own problem by clearing brush, but he is concerned about homes near large plants.
“All you need is fire and wind, and we’ll have Lahaina again,” Mr. Endo said this morning. “I see the wind is starting to blow.”
The cause of the fire in Lahaina is still under investigation, but it may have been ignited by bare power lines and a leaning power pole that fell due to high winds.
The state’s two power companies, Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, said they would monitor the situation this weekend and be ready to shut off power if necessary to reduce the chance that live, damaged power lines could start fires.
Firefighters remain at the scene of a small fire that started Friday (Aug. 23, 2024) in Waikoloa, on the dry side of the Big Island, according to Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth. It is under control and does not cause injury or damage.
“We’re hoping to get there in the afternoon,” Mr. Roth said from Hilo, on the island’s east side, as the rain fell.
The island received enough rain on Saturday (Aug. 24, 2024) to cancel the red flag warning, although the warning remains in effect for the rest of the island, said Ian Morrison, a weather service meteorologist in Honolulu.
“Officials are closing some Big Island beach parks in anticipation of dangerously high surf and preparing to open shelters if necessary,” Mr. Roth said.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority told travelers it was still safe to visit the island but advised them to postpone outdoor activities.
Hone was about 249 km southeast of Hilo and 571 km east-east of Honolulu on Saturday (August 24, 2024).
“East and southeast of Pulo Besar can get 11 to 25 cm of rain. The island may get winds of 32 to 64 km/h and gusts of up to 97 km/h,” the weather official said.
Moving westward across the Pacific behind Hone is Hurricane Gilma, which strengthened to Category 3 status Saturday (August 24, 2024) evening away from land. The forecast calls for some additional strengthening before it gets worse over time due to cooler sea surface temperatures and a drier, more stable air mass, the National Hurricane Center said.
