Continental Airlines canceled its nonstop Honolulu-Newark, N.J., flight Friday night as well as its flights between the two cities today and Sunday as Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast.

The Hawaii flight cancellations were among nearly 7,000 that were scrapped by major airlines as the storm hit.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority issued a statement Friday encouraging all travelers heading to the East Coast from Hawaii this weekend to contact their airlines or travel agent to reconfirm flights prior to departing for the airport.

If there is a need for people to extend their stay in Hawaii, the HTA is encouraging them to work directly with hotels.

The hurricane and resulting flight cancellations could cut into tourist arrivals in Hawaii. The U.S. East is the state’s second-largest tourism market, behind the U.S. West.

In July nearly 55,000 visitors came to the islands from the areas most affected by the hurricane, which includes 14 states and Washington, D.C.