Tropical Storm Halola weakening in Pacific

Tropical Storm Halola, which formed south of Hawaii on July 10, traveled across the Pacific and is expected to bring gusty winds and rain to Japan and Korea this weekend.

The storm passed just north of Okinawa Saturday as a typhoon.

Winds of 100 mph were recorded in remote islands west of Naha, the Kyodo News Agency reported.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways canceled 56 flights and Japan Airlines grounded 17 flights, mostly to Naha, the regional capital.

Halola is the first tropical storm to originate in the Central Pacific and move through the Ryukyu Islands since super Typhoon Oliwa in September 1997, Accuweather.com reported.

Winds at Kadena Air Base peaked at 42 mph, Accuweather.com said.

Halola is forecast to continue to weaken as it moves north and should pass through the Korea Strait Sunday as a minimal tropical storm.

It is expected to bring gusty winds and rain to southern South Korea and southwestern Japan Sunday.

The storm is forecast to weaken further and break apart, but not before bringing more rain and gusty winds to central and/or northern Honshu in Japan Monday and Tuesday.