Hurricane Kiko has weakened from a Category 4 to a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Kiko was centered about 1,360 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was traveling west at 9 mph.
The wind scale ranges from 1 to 5, with hurricane categories 3 and above considered major hurricanes.
Forecasters said that Kiko could strengthen Thursday night and into Friday, before a slow weakening through the weekend.
"Kiko is forecast to approach the Hawaiian Islands during the early to the middle portion of next week. The risk of direct impacts from wind and rainfall is increasing. However, it is too soon to determine the exact location or magnitude of these impacts," the hurricane center said Thursday, so people were encouraged to monitor the hurricane's progress.
Light to moderate trade winds can be expected through the weekend. Forecasters said uncertainty remains elevated regarding potential impacts from Kiko, but thus far, increased showers are expected statewide.
There were no watches or warnings associated with Kiko as of Thursday evening.
Swells generated by the hurricane could begin reaching the Hawaiian Islands by the end of the weekend, forecasters said.
