Hawaii's Record-Breaking Hurricane Season Comes to an End

We’re halfway through Hawai‘i’s hurricane season and we’ve already seen nine tropical cyclones. Fortunately, none have posed a serious threat to the islands and no tropical storm or hurricane warnings have been issued so far. But state officials worry not only about the rest of the season - but also about fatigue and a dangerous complacency. HPR’s Molly Solomon reports.

Meteorologists with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center are predicting a busy storm season. In their pre season press conference officials predicted 5 to 8 tropical cyclones could form in the central pacific basin this year.  The busiest months for hurricanes are July thorough October, and models point to a 70% chance for an above normal season because of El Nino conditions. Tom Evans is the acting director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  He says it only takes one storm to produce devastating results.  

With an active hurricane season expected this year, communities in East Hawai‘i are once again focusing their efforts on the invasive albizia tree. Last year’s Tropical Storm Iselle toppled many of the trees, downing power lines, blocking roads and damaging homes. And as HPR’s Molly Solomon reports, many are worried the next big storm could bring similar results.