Hurricane Lester remains on track to impact the islands this weekend, but possibly after being downgraded to a tropical storm.
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According to the National Weather Service, this is the first Hurricane Watch for Oahu since Hurricane Iwa in 1982.
Meteorologists said the Big Island and Maui County will likely see the biggest impacts.
Caldwell said that officials are not expecting a major impact from Hurricane Lester, but they’re preparing for the worst just in case.
“Any westward deviation from the official forecast track could bring profound impacts to Hawaii, and users are reminded that impacts from hurricanes can occur well away from the center”, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said.
The storm is expected to enter the Central Pacific on Wednesday and weaken after that.
The National Weather Service says there’s large and unsafe surf across the Hawaiian islands this weekend.
“We urge residents and visitors to continue to monitor local media for weather updates and bulletins as Lester is expected to make its closest approach to Kauai County in the next 48 hours”, said Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. Residents of the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe are shoring up homes and businesses in the event of a direct hit. These conditions include high winds, large swell and heavy rain.
The U.S. Coast Guard is opening ports in Hawaii County, and cargo operations are resuming.
Stephen Small, who was visiting the Big Island from Los Angeles, said hurricane threats didn’t keep him from traveling because if disaster had struck he would’ve been glad to help out.
The state Department of Education says schools on the Big Island will re-open Friday.
Her husband, Matsuda, said they will remain prepared during this year’s hurricane season.
Lester was carrying maximum sustained winds near 110 miles per hour on Friday morning.
Meteorologist Bob Burke of the National Weather Service said Friday that the storm weakened to a Category 2 but is expected to remain a hurricane as it passes north of the islands.
Lester is on track to blow by Hawaii on Saturday and Sunday, running north of the island chain and parallel to the islands.
A man stands on a street in Pahoa, Hawaii after Tropical Storm Madeline moved through the area, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. However, the islands will feel the effects of strong winds.
A tropical storm warning for Madeline in Hawaii has been canceled. The winds will bring the potential of blowing objects, power outages and downed tree branches.
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People are flocking to Hawaii beaches to marvel at the large waves generated by Hurricane Lester. A hurricane watch has been issued for Hawaii County.
