UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Olivia was 100 miles northeast of Hilo. The tropical cyclone packed maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving to the west at 15 mph.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, mainly to the north of the center.
A general west-southwest motion with a slower forward speed is expected this evening as the center of Olivia approaches Maui and the Big Island.
After Olivia moves past the islands, a somewhat faster west-southwest motion is expected to resume amd continue for the next couple of days.
Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Olivia is expected to remain a tropical storm as it moves over the main Hawaiian Islands.
UPDATE: 2:45 p.m.: Tropical Storm Olivia took a forecast turn to the west-southwest this afternoon and picked up forward momentum as it quickly approaches the Big Island and Maui.
As of 2 p.m., Olivia was about 135 miles northeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 55 mph and moving to the west-southwest at a rapid 21 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the storm’s center.
Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Olivia is expected to remain a tropical storm as it moves over the main Hawaiian Islands. The center of the storm is expected make landfall or its closest contact with either Maui or the Big Island either late tonight or early Wednesday morning.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Big Island as does a flash flood watch. A high surf warning remains in effect for east-facing shores.
UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Tropical Storm Olivia continues to weaken as it approaches the Hawaiian Islands but the speed of the cyclone’s forward movement increased dramatically in the past six hours.
At 11 a.m. today, Olivia was 220 miles northeast of Hilo, packing maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and traveling west at 17 mph.
Due to the high volume of requests for sandbags in preparation for Tropical Storm Olivia, Hawaii County Public Works has delivered piles of sand to multiple locations across the island. Residents can go to any of the locations listed below to fill their own sandbags. Please note that shovels and sandbags will not be provided so you must bring your own materials.
If you are not able to purchase sandbags at a local retailer, heavy duty trash bags will also work.
Forecasted rainfall totals have been reduced for Hawaii Island so please only take what you need. If you reuse county sandbags, be sure they have been stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Sand will be provided at the following locations:
• Shultz Siding 630 E. Lanikaula St., Hilo
• Mamalahoa Highway and Jardin Road, Papaikou
• Honokaa Baseyard, 45-3386 Mamane St.
• Cherry Trees (near Ke Ola Mau Loa Church), 65-1096 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea
• North Kohala Baseyard, 55-486 Hoea Rd.
• Waikoloa Community Park, 68-1845 Puu Nui St.
• Ane Keohokalole Highway south of Kealakehe Parkway (Kailua side of Kealakehe High School)
• Captain Cook Baseyard, 79-7320 Kuakini Hwy.
• Yano Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook
• Waiohinu Baseyard, 95-1627 Kamaoa Rd.
• Pahala Park and Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani St.
• Puna Baseyard, 17-384 Volcano Rd.
• Puna Airfield Strip, 15-2501 Keaau-Pahoa Rd.
*Note: sand piles located in baseyards will only be available during county business hours.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE:
The mood this morning at Hawaii County Civil Defense headquarters in Hilo was cautiously optimistic as Tropical Storm Olivia continues to track to the north of the Big Island.
If the current forecast track holds, the tropical cyclone will have a bigger effect on Maui than Hawaii Island. Mayor Harry Kim said, however, those tasked with emergency management for the Big Island will continue to track the storm.
“We monitor it because we know storms are as unpredictable as unpredictable can be,” Kim said. “The mission today … is to continue to track it, continued planned review. … At this point, I do not believe, unless something is dramatically changed, that wind will be a factor or hazard. I do not believe, unless something changes, that surf will be a real hazard, but we’ll monitor. But at this point, we look pretty good.”
As of 8 a.m. the center of Olivia was 240 miles east-northeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds at 65 mph, moving west at 10 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the storm’s center. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Olivia is expected to remain a tropical storm as it moves over the islands.
Deanna Marks, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told those at the briefing Olivia “continues to weaken and become more disorganized as she pushes westward.”
“It looks like it going to take that southwesterly turn later today and … impact Maui more so than the Big Island,” Marks said. “… It looks like the northern portion of the island could see some stronger wind gusts.”
“Waimea and north would probably see some gustier winds, Kohala, Kohala Mountains area,” she added.
The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters continue to fly today into the storm and send data back to the weather service, Marks said.
The outermost shower bands associated with Olivia are gradually spreading across the islands, and although a tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii Island, forecasters are also backing off the amount of rain the island is expected to receive.
“What we’re looking at is more 2 to 4 inches with isolated 6 inches for the windward and southeast portions of the Big Island. Kona side, 1 to 3 inches,” Marks said. “Absolute worst-case scenario 4 to 6 inches with an isolated 8 inches. That’s for the duration of the storm. So that would be beginning later this evening through Thursday morning.”
“As far as surf goes, we’re backing off on that, as well,” she continued. “We do still have a high surf warning in effect, but as far as surf heights go, we’re taking that back a bit to maybe 10 to 15 feet, and that would be on the very high end. So we’re not expecting an extreme an impact as initially expected, and that’s with the track pushing further north towards Maui.”
The state Department of Education last night walked back a decision made yesterday to curtail all after-school programs and it will be business as usual today at Big Island public schools.
“All roads are open; all schools are open at this time. We’ll continue monitoring,” Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed all East Hawaii parks, forest reserve and wildlife areas today, but county parks remain open.
“The decision was made yesterday not to close any of our parks, or anything … because the forecast appeared to be accurate and the radius of the tropical storm winds would not be anywhere near Hawaii Island,” Kim said.
“… In the event that something changes in the forecast, we’ll be there to notify you ahead of time, so you won’t get caught up.”
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.