#category 2

The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for Oʻahu and Maui County; and the Tropical Storm Watch has been discontinued for Kauaʻi County.

Weather impacts from Hurricane Lane could be felt into the weekend as the Category 3 system forges a slow advance up the island chain.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa is updating the public about Maui County response as Hurricane Lane continues its path toward the islands.  The press conference began at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018.

A FLOOD WARNING is now in effect for the island of Maui until 2:45 p.m. At 11:30 a.m., heavy rain continues over east Maui from Keʻanae to Kīpahulu.

This post includes an ongoing list of Maui County road closures and traffic advisories associated with Hurricane Lane. 

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa hosted a press conference on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Lane as it continues its approach up the island chain.  

Gov. Ige’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the State of Hawai‘i has been approved. Word came late Wednesday afternoon that the governor’s request was granted, as Hurricane Lane approaches the Hawaiian Islands.

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.

With Lane continuing its approach toward the Hawaiian Islands, there’s lots of closures and cancellations being announced. 

Emergency shelters will open at select locations across Maui County at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018.

The Red Cross is seeking volunteers who are willing to be on-call to potentially assist in staffing shelters or assessing damage. Training will be provided.

The Department of Education announced the cancellation of after school activities & programs including inter-scholastic athletic events starting Wed., Aug. 22. 

The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources and its divisions are closing various properties in advance of Hurricane Lane.

With the onset of the hazardous hurricane season and storms approaching in the Pacific, here’s a few tips to help keep animals safe during and after a storm.

Travelers with tickets on Hawaiian Airlines flights departing to or from Hawaiʻi from Aug. 21-26, 2018 will be permitted a 1-time reservation change…

When hurricane or tropical storm force winds are present stay off the water.

Peak winds on Maui are forecast to be in the 25 to 35 mph range with gusts to 50 mph.  Parts of Maui could see 18-24 inches of rain with locally higher amounts.

Hurricane Lane is currently undergoing rapid intensification and is forecast to cross into the Central Pacific basin on Saturday.

The center of Hurricane Hector was located 210 miles SE of South Point, 240 miles SSE of Hilo, 330 miles SSE of Hāna and 350 miles SE of Kahului

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, local emergency management and civil defense agencies, and federal and state partners continued coordination efforts with the National Weather Service for Hurricane Hector.