Hawaii

Flash flood warnings on Kaua'i in Hawai'i

Hawaii was spared a direct hit from a major hurricane as Lane diminished to a tropical storm as it approached and then drifted west, further from land.

But rain was still pounding the island chain, touching off flooding on Oahu and Kaua'i.

Now residents are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Miriam, which is spinning about 3,000 kilometres to the east and moving west towards Hawaii.

It is expected to develop into hurricane.

     

Lane weakens to a tropical storm but Hawaii still gets drenched

Little more than 24 hours ago, Hurricane Lane was barreling towards the state as a category three storm with winds in excess of 200km/h. Now, the storm's maximum sustained winds are about 110km/h.

The National Weather Service announced the downgrade on Saturday afternoon, and hurricane warnings for much of the archipelago were downgraded to tropical storm warnings.

However, authorities are still warning of the storm's destructive potential. Residents are being told to gird themselves for a lengthy storm that could linger well into next week.

Fires break out on Hawaii’s Maui island

The cause of the fires, which have scorched hundreds of acres, was not immediately known, according to Hawaii News Now. The broadcaster said a woman had been hospitalised with serious burns.

Little rain had poured on Maui on Sunday, the broadcaster said, but the winds were intense, creating problems for firefighters battling to contain the blaze.

Authorities were wishing the hurricane would pick up speed and douse the blazing area with some rain.

Lane still a Category 4 hurricane as it creeps closer toward Hawaii isles

Even if it does not make landfall, the National Weather Service warned, the storm could bring “life-threatening impacts,” including hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and flash flooding. The storm’s outer rain bands had put much of the eastern part of the Big Island of Hawaii under a flash flood warning by Thursday morning, and one site in Hilo had already recorded more than 18 inches of rain.

Officials warned that the unpredictable track of the hurricane left much of the state potentially vulnerable.

Hurricane Lane heads for Hawaii as dangerous Category 4 storm

The Category 4 storm's dangerous center could make landfall this week, but even if it doesn't, it should draw close to the islands Thursday through Saturday, bringing destructive winds and as many as 20 inches of rain onshore, forecasters said.

The state is bracing for a powerful punch: The governor has declared an emergency, and all public and charter schools on the Big Island and Maui County are closed until further notice.

People have been flocking to stores for supplies.

Eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano slows to virtual halt

The US Geological Survey's Tina Neal said the lone volcanic fissure that was still active last week had dwindled from a fountain of molten rock to a bubbling pond of lava, no longer spilling out of the cone surrounding it.

Levels of sulfur dioxide gas vented from the fissure, located on the lower east flank of Kilauea, had also dropped dramatically, she said.

The subdued activity there coincided with another major collapse in the outer wall of the summit crater last week.

Hawaii bracing for Hurricane Hector

The National Weather Service said Hector remained a category four storm as it moved closer to Hawaii's Big Island.

At 11.30am (Hawaii time) today, the storm was located 1359 kms east of Hilo and forecast to pass to the south of Hawaii, the service said.

Hector continued to move in a westerly direction with winds as high as 250 km at its centre, it said.

The US National Hurricane Centre urged people to prepare for tropical storm force winds across Hawaii County on Wednesday.

Hurricane Hector closing in on Hawaii and volcano

The hurricane is swirling around in the northern Pacific, threatening to hit Hawaii's Big Island and possibly its active volcano, on Wednesday.

Some predictions put the storm on a virtual collision course with the Kilauea Volcano on the southern part of the island. Lava has been spewing from vents on its eastern flank since the third of May and its summit crater continues to collapse.

Scientists have differing opinions over how hurricanes and volcanoes might interact, including the question of whether low atmospheric pressure could help trigger an eruption.

 

Flying lava injures 13 in Hawaii

An explosion sent rocks and debris hurtling through the air and through the roof of the tourist vessel.

One passenger broke a leg while others suffered burns. The authorities are investigating.

The lava is from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, which erupted in May and has been spewing out gas and molten rock ever since.

The explosion left a gaping hole in the roof of the tour boat, which had been taking visitors out to view lava plunging into the sea.

Those injured are being treated in hospital.

Volcano evacuees suffering 'shelter fatigue'

Many evacuees on the Big Island are living in shelters, tents and other people's homes.

The East Hawaii chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (EHVOAD) has been helping to coordinate volunteers in shelters, including one area nicknamed tent city.

EHVOAD's Suzi Bond said many aid organisations were helping like the Red Cross, Hope Services and the Salvation Army which had provided more than 20,000 meals in five weeks.

All the agencies agreed the evacuees urgently needed a more permanent housing solution, Ms Hope said.