Hurricane Hone skirted just south of Hawaii early Sunday, bringing enough rain to prompt the National Weather Service to cancel red flag warnings for wildfires caused by strong winds on the islands’ drier sides. The storm, with peak winds of 80 mph (130 kph), was located near the southernmost point of the Big Island, threatening tropical storm force winds and up to a foot (30 centimeters) or more of rain on certain slopes. Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma intensified to a Category 4 storm on Saturday night, but was expected to weaken to a depression before reaching Hawaii, remaining about 1,480 miles (2,380 kilometers) east of Hilo. The primary risks from Hone included heavy rainfall leading to flooding, damaging winds, and large surf along east-facing shores, according to the weather service.
Due to dangerously high surf, some beach parks on the Big Island were closed, and officials were readying shelters if necessary, as mentioned by Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth. Concerns stemming from last year’s fatal blazes on Maui, fed by hurricane-force winds, were fresh in people’s minds, especially amidst the current abnormally dry conditions and drought across the archipelago. Calvin Endo, a resident of Makaha, emphasized the need for preparedness, highlighting the potential risks posed by dry brush and overgrown vegetation near homes in vulnerable areas.
Reflecting on the tragic Lahaina wildfire in August 2023, which claimed the lives of 102 individuals and was fueled by dry grasses and drought conditions, Endo expressed his worries about similar hazards in his neighborhood. He took personal action by clearing brush behind his home but stressed the importance of addressing overgrown vegetation near neighboring properties to mitigate fire risks. Although the cause of the Lahaina blaze is still under investigation, the possibility of damaged power lines igniting fires in strong winds was a concern, prompting power companies to be on alert. Fortunately, as Hurricane Hone passed by the islands, safety measures like power shutdowns were deemed unnecessary. A small fire that started on the dry side of the Big Island was successfully extinguished without any casualties or damage.
