Hawaii declares state of emergency as Hurricane Kiko barrels toward islands

A state of emergency has been declared in Hawaii as Hurricane Kiko barrels toward the popular vacation destination.

Sylvia Luke, who has been serving as the state’s acting governor as Democrat Gov. Josh Green was on a trip to Italy, issued the emergency declaration Friday night to ensure officials were prepared for the storm.

‘The proclamation activates emergency measures and resources to protect public health, safety and welfare,’ Luke said.

‘Tropical storm-force winds, heavy rainfall and high surf associated with Hurricane Kiko could begin affecting portions of the state as early as Monday, September 8, 2025,’ she added.

As of Sunday evening, the hurricane was centered just 635 miles east of Hilo on the Big Island, and was forecast to pass north of the islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

But it seems Hawaii has escaped the brunt of the tempest, which was downgraded Sunday night from a Category 3 to a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph as it moves west-northwest at 13mph.

The storm is expected to weaken even further as it pushes into cooler waters and drier air on Monday night, before the center passes north of the Hawaiian islands mid-week.

‘There are still possible impacts, including wind and rain, but we’re not anticipating tropical force winds,’ James Barros, administrator of Hawaii Emergency Management, told the New York Post.

Hurricane Kiko was downgraded to a Category 2 storm on Sunday night as it approaches the Hawaiian islands

The center of the storm is expected to pass north of Hawaii on Tuesday and Wednesday

‘Gusts could disrupt trade wind patterns and most of the rain forecast is from remnants behind the system rather than the system itself.’

Forecasters also warn that potentially life-threatening rip currents and surf along the islands’ east-facing shores with waves could reach 10 to 15 feet.

Still, state and local officials are taking all necessary precautions ‘in case the forecast is off or the storm shifts south.’

At Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management, for example, Deputy Director Jennifer Walter and her employees spent the day Saturday trying to improve communication flows, according to Hawaii News Now.

The agency now hopes to expedite its messaging to inform the public quickly of shelter locations and city closures.

Luke’s emergency order also activates the Hawaii National Guard, frees up state disaster funds and suspends procurement and regulatory laws to speed up the storm response.

Additionally, it authorizes all state agencies to coordinate disaster efforts through September 19.

‘To ensure the safety and preparedness of our communities, the state and counties will stand ready to mobilize resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure and respond quickly to any possible damage caused by the storm,’ Luke said.

Residents are urged to stock up on essential items, and are advising tourists to monitor flight and hotel alerts in case of any cancelations

State and local officials stress that preparedness is key in these types of storms

‘We urge residents and visitors to monitor updates, follow official guidance and prepare accordingly.’

Residents are also urged to stock up on essential items, and are advising tourists to monitor flight and hotel alerts in case of any cancelations.

‘Preparedness is always going to be the answer for this,’ said Matthew Wells, communications director for the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region.

Walter echoed those sentiments.

‘I always think about these storms approaching that miss us almost like when you have a house guest and you’ve cleaned your house and you’ve gotten all ready and then maybe they cancel, but at the end of it, you have a clean house and a fridge full of food,’ she explained.

Kiko is already the 11th named system in the eastern Pacific this year, and the Pacific hurricane season still has three months left to go.

The season runs from May 15 until November 30, making it two weeks longer than the Atlantic hurricane season.

Previously, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted a ‘below-normal season’ for the eastern Pacific, with 12 to 18 named storms, five to 10 hurricanes, and up to five major hurricanes.