Hurricane Hone skirted just south of Hawaii early Sunday, bringing relief as the National Weather Service canceled red flag warnings for potential wildfires due to strong winds. The storm, with top winds of 80 mph, moved west near the southernmost point of the Big Island, impacting the coast with tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall.
Although Hone posed threats of flooding, damaging winds, and large surf along east-facing shores, the storm spared Hawaii from major devastation. Beach parks on the Big Island were closed due to high surf, and officials were on standby to open shelters if necessary.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma intensified to a Category 4 storm but remained far east of Hawaii, forecasted to weaken before reaching the islands. The memory of last year's deadly wildfires on Maui, fueled by hurricane-force winds, loomed large as the archipelago faced abnormally dry conditions and drought.
Residents like Calvin Endo, a Waianae Coast neighborhood board member, remained vigilant about fire risks, especially in areas with overgrown vegetation. Endo, who took proactive measures to clear dry brush near his home, emphasized the importance of preparedness in preventing disasters like the tragic Lahaina blaze of 2023.
As Hurricane Hone passed by, power companies in Hawaii were on standby to shut off electricity to prevent potential fires from damaged power lines. Fortunately, safety measures were not needed as the storm moved away from the islands.
Despite a small blaze in Waikoloa on the Big Island being swiftly contained, concerns about fire hazards persist in the region. The community remains on alert, recognizing the importance of proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risks.
