Ige signs emergency proclamation as possible hurricane approaches

Kilo weakened to a tropical depression early Friday evening, but the storm was still expected to become a hurricane by the time it reaches the islands, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu.

Kilo had become a tropical storm earlier Friday, and Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation making the state’s Major Disaster Fund available for disaster relief should Kilo make landfall in Hawaii.

Its exact path remains uncertain, but the forecast track still calls for it to become a hurricane by Monday and make a sharp north, then northeast turn, putting Kauai and Niihau at risk for landfall or a close pass.

Surf was expected to rise on south shores this weekend and west shores next week as Kilo initially passes south of the islands and turns north. Winds will turn southeasterly this weekend as Kilo moves closer to the main Hawaiian islands.

At 11 p.m., Kilo was about 450 miles south-southwest of Hilo and 560 miles south of Honolulu, moving west at 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 35 mph with higher gusts. Officials anticipate gradual strengthening over the next couple of days.

Kilo could become a hurricane by Monday. Its path could potentially bring it over Kauai County as a hurricane on Wednesday.

"There is a possibility for tropical storm conditions to develop on Niihau, Kauai and Oahu in the Monday night to Tuesday time frame. In addition to the wind threat, rainbands and embedded thunderstorms extending well to the east of the track of the system may affect the islands," forecasters said.

Robert Ballard, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service said the shift in the winds this weekend will bring moisture from the south over the main Hawaiian islands and an increased chance of afternoon showers because of the moisture.

The western islands could also see some vog, along with increased humidity, Ballard said.

"There could be a chance of some heavy rainfall starting during the weekend and into next week when we get into the periphery of Kilo," Ballard said. "The moisture surrounding Kilo will reach us first."

Kilo is following a ridge of high pressure which is steering it in a west-northwesterly direction. However, the storm is expected to reach a weakness in the ridge and that is expected to steer Kilo to turn sharply to the north and then back to the northeast near or over the islands.

Forecasters caution that there is a large margin of error of 300 miles in forecast tracks five days away from a potential landfall. Kilo could still shift east toward other islands or west away from the main islands by next week.

"This track forecast is going to change with time," Ballard said. "Don’t get locked in to any one forecast. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best."

Emergency officials said it’s best for residents to be prepared and have hurricane kits ready and to monitor forecasts for changes in the track of the storm.

"We strongly encourage the public to take advantage of the weekend to prepare their homes and families as this aggressively active hurricane season continues," said Doug Mayne, the administrator of Emergency Management for the state.

Hurricane hunter planes are on their way back to Hawaii and should make their first pass through the storm Friday night

Kilo is expected to slow down as it makes the turn to the north and northeast.

Forecast models differ on when that turn will happen and how sharp it will be. If it happens sooner than expected, it could put the storm on a path to the other Hawaiian islands. If it doesn’t happen, or if the storm turns later than expected, its path could move west of the islands.

The southerly path also keeps Kilo in warmer waters and away from wind shear brought on by the subtropical jet stream. That means Kilo has a greater chance of intensifying before it moves into cooler waters and areas with more wind shear.

Its path is unusual, but not unprecedented, Ballard said. 

Most tropical cyclones pass south of the islands on a westward path and stay south. However, other storms have turned north and swung back to the northwestern Hawaiian islands.

In Hawaiian, Kilo means stargazer or reader of omens. As a verb, it means to observe, look closely and forecast, according to the Mary Pukui/Samuel Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.

To prepare for a hurricane, emergency officials recommend:

» Talking with family members and coming up with an action plan that includes details like whether or not your family plans to evacuate.

» Download the Ready Hawaii app from the iTunes or Google Play! store, with aids for emergency planning and a list of shelters. Or download a preparedness brochure at scd.hawaii.gov/docs/SCD_PrepareBrochure.pdf

» Identify any small outdoor items that could be picked up by high winds and make plans to bring them indoors if a hurricane/tropical storm watch is issued.

» Keep seven days of food and water for your family  and for pets.

» Set aside an emergency supply of needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster.

» Follow the Department of Education online at hawaiipublicschools.org for information on public school closures. Make sure you know the closure notification procedure if your child attends private or charter schools.

» Prepare your pets by checking or purchasing a carrier and other preparedness items. A pet carrier is necessary if you plan to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter.

» Check with airlines prior to any planned flights next week.

» Visitors should read the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Travel Safety Brochure at travelsmarthawaii.com .

» Read the Hawaii Boater’s Hurricane and Tsunami Safety Manuel for recommended precautions to protect your boat prior to a storm at http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/sites/default/files/publications/web-final_hurricaneboatersmanual_7-01-13.pdf