UPDATE: Hawaiʻi Port Conditions Lifted, No Closures Expected

Port of Kahului, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

(Update: 12:36 p.m. Aug. 31, 2015)

Based on Hurricane Ignacio’s current trajectory to the northwest it does not appear that the closure of commercial ports in the Hawaiian Islands will be necessary, according to an update issued by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

The COTP has set all Hawaiian ports back to condition Whiskey (IV): The ALERT condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 72 hours.

As a reminder, Port conditions are subject to change based on the projected path and intensity of Ignacio.

The various Port Condition classifications include the following:

• Condition Hurricane Season Preparedness (V): Seasonal readiness, 1 June – 30 Nov.
• Condition Whiskey (IV): The ALERT condition in which winds above 39 mph are expected within 72 hours.
• Condition X-Ray (III): The READINESS condition in which winds above 39 mph are expected within 48 hours.
• Condition Yankee (II): The WARNING condition in which winds above 39 mph are expected within 24 hours.
• Condition Zulu (I): The DANGER condition in which winds above 39 mph are expected within 12 hours and until the storm has passed and is no longer a threat.

The Coast Guard will continue to broadcast notice condition status changes to mariners and send out a marine safety information bulletin to the maritime community. Additionally, all maritime users are requested to monitor the progress of this hurricane and make preparations accordingly.

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(Update: 10:06 a.m. Aug. 30, 2015)

Based on Hurricane Iganacio’s current trajectory to the northwest it does not appear that the closure of commercial ports in the Hawaiian Islands will be necessary, according to an update issued by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

As a precaution, the Captain of the Port has moved the ports of Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island and the ports of Kaunakakai and Kahului in Maui County to Condition X-Ray (III): The READINESS condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 48 hours.

The Port Conditions of Kalaeloa and Honolulu on Oʻahu are Whiskey (IV): The ALERT condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 72 hours.

There is no upgraded Port Condition set for Kauai at this time. As a reminder, Port Conditions are subject to change based on the projected path and intensity of Ignacio.

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(Previous Post:  11:19 a.m. Aug. 29, 2015)

The projected arrival of storm force winds associated with Hurricane Ignacio could facilitate the need to close commercial ports throughout the Hawaiian Islands, according to the US Coast Guard.

The Captain of the Port has already issued a Condition Whiskey (IV) status to the ports of: Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi; and Kaunakakai, Kamalapau and Kahului in Maui County.  The alert condition indicates that winds above 39 mph are expected within 72 hours.

Port conditions on the islands of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are being monitored as the storm nears. Port conditions are subject to change based on the projected path and intensity of Ignacio.