Hurricane Lane Approaches Hawaii

There’s trouble brewing in paradise. Hurricane Lane is traveling outside the ‘normal’ lanes of travel for Pacific hurricanes, which generally stay south of the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane Lane — which is now a rare Pacific Category 5 storm — is packing winds up to 160 mph near the center. It’s only the second Category 5 storm to travel within 350 miles of Hawaii (the other was Hurricane John in 1994). 

The storm will close in on the Hawaiian archipelago later today, but looking at the current NOAA track, the center could stay south of a direct hit to the islands — that doesn’t mean associated winds, rain and waves couldn’t create havoc in the marinas and on shore. The Ala Wai Harbor on the south shore of Oahu, which has been in a constant state of disrepair for years, could be exposed to some pummeling waves ahead of the storm and, depending on the course of the storm center, severe winds.

Hurricane Iniki, a Category 4 storm, hit Hawaii back in 1992. Just a few weeks ago, Hurricane Hector passed to the south of Hawaii, also as a Category 4. 

Schools on the Big Island and Maui are now closed as it’s time to get prepared and hope the storm veers safely away from land.