Hurricane Hawaii: Storms, Rain and Power Outages

According to the NHC, the state's smaller islands face "trotz größerer Entfernung zum Zentrum des Sturms bis einschließlich Sonntag gefährlich starke Winde und heftige Niederschläge." Meteorologists pointed out that the hurricane's exact path remains difficult to predict and that conditions could deteriorate rapidly.

Power Outages on Oahu

On Oahu, Hawaii's most populous island, widespread power outages were reported by the energy provider. Several neighborhoods of Honolulu were without electricity on Saturday evening, including parts of the downtown area. Emergency crews were working to gradually restore service but were unable to give a timeline for full restoration.

Power outages and isolated flooding were also reported on Maui and Kauai. Local emergency management agencies opened shelters in schools and community centers. Residents were urged to stock up on drinking water and prepare for possible evacuations.

The hurricane had strengthened over the Pacific in recent days and struck the Big Island late on Friday evening. Since then, according to the NHC, it has been moving westward and is expected to pass between the islands in the coming hours. Authorities classified the storm as a Category 3 hurricane.

State of Emergency and Relief Efforts

Hawaii's governor had already declared a state of emergency on Friday to enable the use of federal funds and the National Guard. The aim was to speed up rescue operations and deliver relief supplies to particularly hard-hit areas. The federal agency FEMA was also placed on alert.

Airlines canceled numerous flights to and from the Hawaiian Islands. Several airports, including Honolulu International Airport on Oahu, reported delays and cancellations. Tourists were asked to stay in their accommodations and follow the instructions of hotel staff.

On Niihau, the smallest of the affected islands, contact with some remote coastal communities was temporarily cut off. The island is sparsely populated and largely closed to tourists. Rescue teams were initially only able to reach the affected areas by helicopter.

Outlook and Economic Consequences

The NHC announced that it would update its warnings over the course of Sunday. A noticeable easing of the situation is not expected until the hurricane has moved further away from the archipelago. Until then, warnings remain in place for flash floods, landslides and high waves along the coasts.

Insurance analysts pointed out that the exact damage can only be assessed once the storm has subsided. Experience shows that hurricanes of this strength in Hawaii cause damages in the billions, particularly to infrastructure and residential buildings.

Hawaii's tourism industry, a key sector of the state's economy, expects significant losses. Many hotels reported cancellations for the coming days. Cruise lines also temporarily removed the islands from their itineraries.