The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii County as Hurricane Olivia nears the islands. A watch means residents should prepare for severe weather conditions within 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds and conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

As of 5pm Sunday afternoon, Olivia was holding firm as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph with occasional higher gusts. It’s moving westward at 12 mph about 595 miles east-northeast of Hilo and 760 miles east of Honolulu.

Forecasters say Olivia is forecast to be a strong tropical storm off the Big Island by Tuesday and forward speed may decrease a little over the next day. The system is projected to take a slight west-southwest turn Monday night into Tuesday.

The National Weather Service says high storm rainfall from Olivia is possible with amounts of 10 to 15 inches, with isolated amounts over 20 inches. Large swells generated by Olivia are expected to continue to increase near the main Hawaiian Islands, and surf will to build as Olivia approaches, and may become damaging on some exposed east facing shores Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Coast Guard has set port condition WHISKEY for Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu County ports as of 8am Saturday. Commercial ports are Hilo Harbor and Kawaihae Harbor on Hawaii Island, Kahului Maui and Barber’s Point, Honolulu Harbor, Kalaeloa, and Kewalo Basin on Oahu. Port status is currently open to all commercial and recreational traffic. Officials remind the public to stay off the water and clear of beaches as storm condition arrive with search and rescue capabilities declining as storm conditions strengthen.

Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation this afternoon that will provide relief for disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by Hurricane Olivia. The proclamation declares the counties of Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalawao, Kaua‘i and the City and County of Honolulu disaster areas for the purpose of implementing emergency management functions. The proclamation also authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated for the speedy and efficient relief of damages, losses, and suffering resulting from Hurricane Olivia. Gov. David Ige said “We’re monitoring this storm closely and taking steps now to ensure that we’re prepared for its impacts to the state. A tropical storm could bring heavy rain and flooding, especially in places that are saturated from previous storms. Now is the time to prepare”.

Hurricane Emergency Management Agency

City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management

Kauai Emergency Management

Maui County Emergency Management

Hawaii County Civil Defense

Below are the contact information for the state and county Emergency Management Agencies:

Hawaiʻi State Emergency Management Agency

(808) 733 -4300

HawaiiEMA@hawaii.gov

Kauaʻi Emergency Management

(808) 241 - 1800

kema@kauai.gov

Honolulu Emergency Management

(808) 723-8960

dem@honolulu.gov

Maui County Emergency Management

(808) 270 - 7285

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense

(808) 935 - 0031

civildefense@hawaiicounty.gov