UPDATES from 9/25 through 9/27: As Hurricane Nolo passed south of the Islands on Sunday, Sept. 27, residents on Oʻahu felt more wind than rain.
Following suit, the National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County; a wind advisory for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi; and a high surf advisory for the Islands, especially on the east- and south-facing shores of the Big Isle over the weekend, accord to a 5 a.m. report.
In a 7 a.m. update, Hawaiian Electric said that "about 12,370 customers in West Maui and Upcountry are without power due to strong winds from Hurricane Nolo as the storm continues its westward track south of the state. As of 6 a.m. Sunday, an additional 3,900 customers are without power on the windward side of Oʻahu due to storm effects."
There are no major outages on Hawaiʻi Island, according to the company in the same update.
As of 7 p.m. Sunday, about 10,000 customers remained without power in West Maui. Hawaiian Electric said in an update that "it is continuing its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch as a wind advisory remains in effect until tomorrow morning (Sept. 27). Earlier this afternoon, due to the immediate threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions, Hawaiian Electric initiated its PSPS program and proactively shut off power in Pukalani, Maui. Power was restored around 4:30 p.m. as risk conditions lessened."
On Friday, President Donald Trump approved Gov. Josh Green’s request for a presidential emergency declaration for Hurricane Nolo. The declaration allows federal funds to be used for emergency protective measures throughout the state, at a 75-25 cost share between the federal government and the state.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it is authorized to coordinate “all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.”
The declaration will specifically support additional incident management personnel at the state and counties’ emergency operations centers, search-and-rescue operations, the installation of large-capacity generators and other essential support systems, debris clearance, other logistical support, and continuing assistance to recover human remains from the Nā‘ālehu Cemetery.
“The federal declaration will help us protect lives, maintain access to essential services, support our first responders and preserve the state’s capacity to continue ongoing recovery work,” Green said.
Several events throughout the state, including the Henry Kapono Home in the Islands concert in Waikīkī and the Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race on Moloka‘i, were canceled or postponed. The Aloha Festivals’ 78th Annual Floral Parade carried on.
Last week, Green closed state and county offices, public schools and UH campuses and facilities ahead of the storm on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County.
The financial impact of storms so far this year, not including Nolo, amount to over $1 billion, state officials say.
Original reporting 9/23: Hawai’i residents are urged to once again batten down the hatches as the state’s summer of storms continues.
As of Wednesday, the newly named Tropical Storm Nolo was bearing northward toward the state, with the National Weather Service predicting the storm to intensify to hurricane status by Friday, and potentially to major hurricane status by Saturday — about the same time it is expected to make its closest approach to Hawai’i Island.
National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Bravender said Wednesday that tropical storm-force winds could hit the Big Island as early as Friday, and that the storm could bring 20-30 inches of rain through the weekend.
Nolo is expected to veer westward just south of the state and slowly pass below the islands. As it passes, the Big Island will face “extreme” flash flooding risks on Friday and Saturday, as well as “extreme” winds on Saturday, according to a NWS outlook.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a hurricane watch is in effect for the entirety of Hawai’i Island and its surrounding waters. The NWS warns that there is potential for winds between 74 and 110 mph. A flood watch is also in effect for all of the Big Island, Maui and Moloka’i.
Gov. Josh Green acknowledged Wednesday that many on the Big Island, particularly in Ka’u, are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Lala two storms ago.
“If you feel unsafe, please … go up to Hilo as this new storm approaches,” Green said, adding that the state Department of Human Services has 100 hotel rooms available for people to stay in if their home is threatened by Nolo. “If you do decide to wait out the storm at home … please listen to us if we ask you to evacuate. Material goods can be replaced, houses can be rebuilt, but we can’t bring back our loved ones.”
Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawai’i Department of Defense, said 232 National Guard personnel are currently positioned for storm response and recovery efforts, and that he is authorized to activate up to 500 if the need arises. On Hawai’i Island, there are five high-water vehicle teams and 50 personnel standing by.
Hawai’i County has opened hurricane shelters in advance of the storm: at Yano Hall in Captain Cook, the Nā’ālehu Elementary School Gym, the Robert Herkes Gym in Pāhala and the Kea’au Armory. Transportation for Na’alehu residents seeking to shelter in Pāhala will be provided at Nā’ālehu Elementary at 6 p.m. today.
Big Island residents can fill sandbags at several sites around the island provided by the county Department of Public Works, although they will have to bring their own bags.
As always, residents are urged to clear debris from around their properties, ensure that drainage areas are properly cleared, stockpile up 14 days worth of food, water and essential medications, prepare go bags and evacuation plans for themselves and their families, and to sign up for alerts from state and county emergency management agencies.
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