HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Hone increased to a Category 1 hurricane while continuing its steady approach toward Hawaii late Saturday, forecasters said. Hone (pronounced hoe-NEH) had top winds of 75 mph (120 kph), according to an 11 p.m.
advisory by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. The minimum threshold for a hurricane is 74 mph (119 kph). A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Big Island as the storm moved west at 12 mph (19 kph) about 105 miles (170 kilometers) south of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 275 miles (440 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu, the center said.
The hurricane center, part of the National Weather Service, previously said Hone was expected to remain just below hurricane strength at its peak Sunday through Monday. Hurricane Gilma, still about 1,480 miles (2,380 kilometers) east of Hilo, increased to a Category 4 hurricane Saturday night. Hone, whose name is Hawaiian for “sweet and soft,” drew near the islands Saturday with breezes that were expected to intensify and increase the wildfire risk for drier parts of the state even as memories are still fresh from last year's deadly blazes on Maui.
A red flag fire warning was in effect for the leeward sides of all islands through 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The National Weather Service issues the alert when warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds combine to raise fire dangers. “They gotta take this thing serious,” said Calvin Endo, a Waianae Coast neighborhood board me.