Cat 4 Lane Pushes Onward, Hurricane Warning for Maui, Hawaii, Oahu

By Wendy Osher

***A NEW POST HAS BEEN CREATED FOR THURSDAY UPDATES***
Please go to the following link for updates for 8.23.18
LANE THURSDAY UPDATES: http://mauinow.com/?p=277550

Hurricane Lane, 5-day forecast track., 2 a.m. 8.23.18. PC: NOAA/CPHC

Update: 2 a.m. HST 8.23.18

Maui remains under an active Hurricane warning. Under the latest update, Oʻahu has been added to Warning status, and Hawaiʻi County remains under a Hurricane Warning as well. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-
force winds.

At 2 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, the eye of Hurricane Lane was located by satellite and radar 265 miles SSW of Hilo; 240 miles SSW of Kailua-Kona; 195 miles SSW of South Point; 305 miles SSW of Hana; 305 miles S of Kahului; 320 miles S of Kaunakakai; 295 miles S of Lanai City; 335 miles S of Honolulu (near latitude 16.5 North, longitude 157.3 West).

Lane is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue today, with a gradual turn toward the north-northwest. On Friday, a turn toward the north is anticipated as Lane’s forward motion slows even more. A turn back toward the west is expected on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands later today through Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. Lane is a powerful category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next day or so, with more significant weakening thereafter. Lane is expected to remain a hurricane as it approaches the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

Hurricane Lane, 5-day forecast track., 8 p.m. 8.22.18. PC: NOAA/CPHC

25%+ probability of sustained winds
of 39 mph (34 kt) or higher. Hurricane Lane satellite imagery courtesy NOAA/CPHC. 8 p.m. 8.22.18

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected on portions of the Big Island beginning later this morning, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by tonight. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin over portions of Maui county later today, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by Friday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on Oʻahu late tonight, with hurricane conditions expected Friday into Friday night.

RAINFALL: Rain bands from Hurricane Lane will continue to overspread the Hawaiian Islands. Excessive rainfall associated with Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, leading to significant and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts in excess of 30 inches over the Hawaiian Islands.

SURF: As Lane is slow-moving, large swells generated by Lane will severely impact the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days. These swells will produce very large and damaging surf along exposed west and south facing shorelines. A prolonged period of high surf will likely lead to significant coastal erosion.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along south and west facing shores near the center of Lane. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

LONG RANGE FORECAST: (As of 2 a.m. 8.23.18)

The latest long-range forecast places Lane about 80 miles SW of Lānaʻi (102 miles SW of Lahaina, Maui; and 78 miles from the East End of Molokaʻi) at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, as a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph.

Prior to that, the system is forecast to be about 92 miles SW of Lānaʻi (100 miles SW of Kīhei, Maui; and 110 miles from the East End of Molokaʻi) as a Category 2 Hurricane with 110 mph maximum sustained winds at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018.

Earlier in the forecast, the system is expected to be about 170 miles SW of Maui at 8 p.m. Thursday with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph as a Category 4 hurricane.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Tropical Storm – winds 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)
Category 1 – winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
Category 2 – winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
Category 3 – winds 111-129 mph (96-112 kt)
Category 4 – winds 130-156 mph (113-136 kt)
Category 5 – winds 157 mph and up (137+ kt)

Onset of Impacts: (As outlined by the CPHC at 5:20 p.m. HST on 8.22.18)
Click here for a breakdown of impacts for individual areas of Maui County.

“Major Hurricane Lane is passing roughly 220 miles south of the Big Island this afternoon and has turned towards the northwest in line with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast. The center of Lane will track dangerously close to the Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday. Regardless of the exact track of the storm center, life threatening impacts are likely over some areas as this strong hurricane makes its closest approach. Just a reminder that impacts from a hurricane extend far from the center of the storm and slight changes to the forecast track this close to the islands will produce rapid changes to the local forecast impacts.

“The onset of damaging tropical storm-force winds on the Big Island could by early Thursday morning, with dangerous hurricane force winds possibly starting Thursday afternoon or Thursday night. In Maui County, damaging winds could begin on Thursday, with dangerous hurricane force winds possible starting Thursday night. On Oahu, damaging winds could begin as early as Thursday night, with dangerous hurricane force winds possible on Friday. Hurricane Warnings may need to be expanded to include Kauai County as Lane draws closer.

“Outer rain bands along with thunderstorms associated with Lane, have moved onshore over portions of the Big Island. Bands of intense showers and thunderstorms will continue to spread across the state from the southeast towards the northwest tonight and Thursday. Excessive rainfall is possible which could lead to deadly flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. Flooding can occur even in areas not usually prone to flooding. Storm total rainfall amounts greater than 20 inches are possible.

“Swells generated by Lane will produce very large and rough surf, with dangerous rip currents along south, southeast and southwest facing shores. Large surf is likely occurring over southeast facing shores on the Big Island. Surf is expected to increase tonight and Thursday along southwest facing shores on the Big Island as well as along south and southeast facing shores from Maui County to Kauai County.

“Tornadoes and large waterspouts will be possible with Lane, mainly along and to the right of the track of the hurricane.”

***(The next full forecast update is due out at 5 a.m. HST on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018…check the new link above)***

Helpful links:

FORECAST UPDATES:

LANE WEDNESDAY UPDATES
PEAK WIND/RAINFALL

SAFETY ADVISORY:

PROPER GENERATOR SET-UP: At this time Maui’s emergency responders would like also like to remind people to be careful not to set up their generators in an enclosed space, such as a garage, as it can cause people to pass out from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Please refer to these tips from the Centers for Disease Control on how to avoid CO poisoning.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

MAUI EMERGENCY SHELTERS Emergency shelters opened at select locations across Maui County at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Locations include: Lahaina Intermediate School; Hāna High and Elementary School; Maui High School (Pet Friendly); Lokelani Intermediate School (Pet Friendly); King Kekaulike School; Molokaʻi High School; Lānaʻi High and Elementary (Pet Friendly).
MOLOKAI RESIDENTS URGED TO SEEK SHELTER AHEAD OF RAINS: Molokaʻi residents who intend to head to the evacuation shelter at Molokai High School are urged to go there early before rains have the potential to flood south facing shores, causing transportation problems.
RED CROSS DONATION RECOMMENDATION: Red Cross officials said those wanting to donate items to the shelter for use by evacuees can do so, however, any food items donated should not require cooking or refrigeration.
RED CROSS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY: Will be opening pet-friendly shelters in Kīhei and Kahului at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018

TRANSPORTATION:

MAUI BUS/MEO:  MEO transportation will end services on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m.  All Maui Bus and MEO transportation services will NOT operate on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, until further notice.  Bus service at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center hub will stop at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, according to mall management.
FLIGHT STATUS: The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Tweet on Wednesday morning saying “Hurricane Lane may cause airlines to cancel flights in the direct path of the storm near Hawaii. Please check flight status with your airline. You can also check the status of major airports in the storm path.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES TRAVEL WAIVERS
EXPEDITIONS MAUI-LANAI FERRY SCHEDULE CHANGE
AIR CANADA FLIGHT AC1828: Air Canada flight AC1828 Maui to Vancouver on Aug. 23 is now departing earlier in advance of Hurricane Lane. Passengers on this flight are advised to check revised departure times online.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:

CHARTER SCHOOL CLOSURES: All Charter Schools will be closed Thursday, Aug. 23, and Friday, Aug. 24, in anticipation of hazardous weather conditions brought to our islands by Hurricane Lane.
UPDATE: DOE SCHOOL CLOSURES: All Public Schools and HIDOE Offices to Close Thursday and Friday Statewide. The school day will proceed as normal for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi today. Only essential personnel and disaster responders are to report to work Thursday and Friday. HIDOE schools and offices will reopen on Monday, Aug. 27, unless otherwise noted.
MIL SPORTS/SCHOOL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED Effective Wednesday, all after-school activities and programs including interscholastic athletic events and After-School Plus (A+) Programs are canceled statewide for the remainder of the week.
UHMC CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE: All University of Hawaiʻi campuses and all non-essential university operations on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānai will be closed until further notice.
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS PREPARES FOR LANE KS Schools are closed on Maui on Wednesday.
SEABURY HALL: will be closed Thursday, Aug. 23 due to Hurricane Lane. A decision about school on Friday will be made no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday.
STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CLOSURES: Hawaiʻi and Maui Counties: All public libraries are closed Wednesday, August 22 to Friday, August 24, 2018. All library programs are cancelled through Sunday, August 26, 2018. Fines for books and materials due during the closure period will be waived.
CHRIST THE KING CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER: closed Thursday & Friday
ST JOSEPH EARLY LEARNING CENTER: located at 1294 Makawao Avenue, will be closed Thursday and Friday Aug. 23 and 24.

GOVERNMENT CLOSURES:

MAYOR URGES PREP, INITIAL COUNTY CLOSURES ANNOUNCED All county offices are closed Wednesday, Aug. 22. This includes all Driver Licensing & Motor Vehicle offices, Real Property Tax, Liquor certification examination locations and senior services will be closed until Monday, Aug. 27. All county park, park facilities and pools will be closed pending a storm damage assessment on Saturday. The last trash pick-up will be scheduled for Wednesday. All county landfills will be closed at noon on Wednesday and opening on Friday pending storm damage assessment.
MAUI COURTS CLOSED IN ADVANCE OF LANE Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island courts and facilities will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 22, to Friday, Aug. 24.

PARK/FACILITY CLOSURES:

KEALIA POND NWR: The US Fish and Wildlife Service will close Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and the Keālia Coastal Boardwalk on Aug. 22-23, in preparation for any effects from Hurricane Lane. If circumstances allow, the Refuge plans to reopen on Friday, Aug. 24.
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK CLOSURE The Summit and Kīpahulu Districts of Haleakalā National Park will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2018. The entrance gates will be locked and the park will not open for sunrise viewing on Thursday or Friday morning. Park managers will assess conditions on Friday evening.
DLNR/STATE PARK CLOSURES AHEAD OF LANE Due to the possibility of landslides on the Hāna Highway, Wai‘ānapanapa State Park on Maui will close effective 10 a.m. on 8/22/18 once all campers and cabin users have checked out. Beginning Wednesday night camping and lodging in state parks across the state (except Kaua‘i) will be cancelled. Park closures statewide go into effect Thursday morning (except for Kaua‘i). All Hawai‘i island and Maui Nui DOFAW lands, including forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Nā Ala Hele trails closing at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. All resource conservation officers are on notice to report for duty. If necessary, DOCARE will stand-up a DLNR Emergency Operations Center in Honolulu to coordinate departmental response to any emergencies and recovery.
LĀNAʻI MOUFLON HUNT CANCELLED: The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife has cancelled the Lānaʻi mouflon hunt scheduled for Aug. 25-26, 2018. The Lānaʻi Cooperative Game Management Area is closed until further notice. Hunters holding permits for the state mouflon hunt on Lānaʻi for this weekend will be notified of opportunities to reschedule their hunts and are advised to monitor announcements on the state’s hunting web page.

HEALTH SERVICES:

*KAISER MAUI CLOSURES: Kīhei and Lahaina Clinics will be CLOSED on Thursday (8/23) and Friday (8/24); Maui Lani Medical Office, Maui Lani Elua Clinic, and Wailuku Medical Office will CLOSE AT NOON on Thursday (8/23); All Maui clinics will be CLOSED on Friday (8/24).
*KAISER PRESCRIPTIONS: In anticipation of Hurricane Lane, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi has adjusted its prescription refill timeline restrictions. Effective immediately, members should be able to refill most medications 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk by phone at 808-643-7979 (TTY 711) and online at kp.org/pharmacycenter or through the KP mobile app. Controlled substances are still subject to approval by a physician.

BUSINESS ADVISORIES:

*MAUI TROPICAL PLANTATION: is closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The property will re-open on Friday night if possible, with a projected re-opening most likely Saturday morning. Check social media for updates. The closure includes Mill House restaurant, Mill House Roasting Co., Tropical Express Tours and the whole property.
*FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK: branches on the Big Island, Maui, and Lānaʻi will be closed on Thursday, August 23, 2018, due to the threat of Hurricane Lane. These branches will re-open when conditions are safe to do so. Customers may access their accounts via FHB Online and FHB Mobile app or may call the FHB Customer Service Center at 1-888-844-4444.
*MAUI OCEAN CENTER: In anticipation of Hurricane Lane, Maui Ocean Center is taking necessary precautions to protect the well-being of the marine life under its care, guests and employees. The Aquarium is open on Wednesday, Aug. 22nd, but will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018.
*QUEEN KAAHUMANU CENTER: will be closing Wednesday Aug. 22, at 5 p.m.
HAWAII METALS RECYCLING OFFERING SAND BAGS: Hawaiʻi Materials Recycling would like to offer to the public at no charge a place to fill sand bags for personal use with the upcoming hurricane threat.  The are located in Kīhei (2662 Wai Wai Place # 201) by the waste water treatment facility.
*SERVCO MAUI CLOSURE: Servco Pacific Inc. will be temporarily closing their Maui operations on Thursday, August 23, 2018, due to Hurricane Lane. Dealerships include Servco Lexus Maui and Servco Subaru Maui. Customers who are scheduled to pick up their vehicles should call their salesperson to reschedule their appointments. Customers who have service appointments are also being called by Servco’s customer care center to reschedule their appointments.

PRICE GOUGING:

Reports of price gouging by some stores have been coming into the county today. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Section 127A-30 prohibits any increase in the selling price of any commodity, whether at the retail or wholesale level, during a declared disaster or emergency situation. If a business is found to be price gouging, it may face a fine of $500 to $10,000 per violation.

Please report all incidents of price gouging to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection by calling either 243-4648 or 1-800-468-4644. Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Lynn Araki-Regan is also keeping a record of price gouging incidents, please call her at 270-7855 after calling the DCCA.

RUMOR CONTROL:

The county would like to ask residents to help stop the spread of bad information which is causing some panic. For the record:
– Honoapiʻilani Highway (pali highway) is NOT closed
– evacuation centers are NOT full
– Maui Electric does NOT have rolling blackouts planned
– the county is NOT shutting off water to customers. As of 7:30 p.m. on 8.22.18, there are NO plans to shut off water anywhere in the county system. Department of Water Supply personnel are currently working on a waterline break which is not hurricane related. Customers are not affected. Any plans to shut off water will be distributed through the Emergency Operations Center

PREPAREDNESS:

WATER CONSERVATION URGED The Maui Department of Water Supply advises all customers to conserve water when Lane begins impacting the county due to high winds and/or flooding that could disrupt power supply to water sources.
HURRICANE PREP FOR PETS
PREPAREDNESS INFO
TIPS/CHECKLISTS

Other Noted Closures/Cancellations/Notices:

*JEFF DAYTON CONCERT AT UH MAUI COLLEGE CANCELLED: The Jeff Dayton performance at UH Maui College originally scheduled for Thursday evening, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, has been cancelled due to the proximity of Hurricane Lane and in anticipation of severe weather. Administrators say that unfortunately they will not be able to reschedule the event, but hope that Jeff will return in the future and be able to perform then.
*EASTER SEALS HAWAII ON MAUI: All programs for Easter Seals Hawaiʻi in Maui county are closed Thursday and Friday.
*HENRY KAPONO CONCERT RESCHEDULED: Henry Kapono and Friends concert has been rescheduled to Sept. 16, 4 p.m. gates open, 5 p.m. actual concert.
*MEO KAHI KAMALI’I: Infant and Toddler Center and all MEO Head Start centers on Maui and Molokaʻi will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 23 and 24 due to anticipated severe weather conditions.
*C-SPAN BUS TOUR: Due to the anticipation of Hurricane Lane, all remaining C-SPAN events have been cancelled for Maui and Oahu.
*MEO HEAD START: centers on Maui and Molokaʻi will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018.  Scheduled plans for Thursday and Friday, August 23 and 24 are pending based on anticipated severe weather conditions.  Stay tuned for updates.
*MEADOW GOLD MAUI WALKERS: Walking event at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been cancelled.

Hurricane Lane, 5-day forecast track., 2 a.m. 8.23.18. PC: NOAA/CPHC

PC: NOAA 5 p.m. satellite imagery via CPHC. 8.22.18

PC: NOAA 4 p.m. satellite imagery via CPHC. 8.22.18

Hurricane Lane, tropical storm force (39 mph+) wind probabilities. 5 a.m. 8.22.18. PC: NOAA/CPHC

Hurricane Lane, hurricane force (74 mph+) wind probabilities. 5 p.m. 8.22.18. PC: NOAA/CPHC

Hurricane Lane, earliest reasonable arrival times of tropical storm force winds. PC: 5 p.m. 8.22.18 NOAA/CPHC

Hurricane Lane, most likely arrival times of tropical storm force winds. PC: 5 p.m. 8.22.18 NOAA/CPHC