Hawaii Prepares as Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli Approach

The pressure difference during Hurricane Dora led to gusts up to 80 km/h in central Maui and over 96 km/h on the Big Island. There were no wind measurements in West Maui at that time.

“We don't expect anything near those levels,” he assured, while predicting localized gusts over 64 km/h, with general winds blowing at 32 km/h.

As of Monday, Hurricane Iona was positioned about 1,303 kilometers southeast of Honolulu, according to the US National Hurricane Center in Miami. No coastal watches or warnings have been issued. Iona is anticipated to intensify into a major hurricane by Tuesday, but it is expected to weaken by mid-week.

The hurricane's maximum sustained winds are currently about 137 km/h, traveling west at around 21 km/h.

Another weather system has also formed in the region. Tropical Storm Keli comes with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h. Positioned approximately 1,658 kilometers southeast of Honolulu, it is moving westward at 19 km/h and might strengthen over the next day. Like Iona, it is projected to weaken by mid-week