Tropical Storm Calvin picked up steam Tuesday as it approached Hawaii Island, with the brunt of its effects occurring after the Tribune-Herald’s print publication deadline.
Calvin strengthened from maximum sustained winds of 45 mph earlier in the day to 60 mph in the late afternoon as it continued to bear down on the Big Island.
Because of the threat, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Tuesday issued a tropical storm warning for the entire island. A tropical storm warning is issued when tropical storm force winds of 39 mph to 73 mph are expected within the next 36 hours.
Earlier forecasts had predicted the storm would weaken as it approached land.
“It did run into a little bit less (wind) shear, and the waters are a little bit warmer, so I wouldn’t say we were surprised. We knew it was a possibility,” Ian Morrison, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said Tuesday afternoon about Calvin’s resurgence.
Morrison said a large eastern surf swell “of up to 20 feet” was just arriving at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, “so we do have the high surf warning up for the east-facing shores of the Big Island and Maui County.”
Officials were bracing for the effects of Calvin, and both the state and county closed all Big Island parks at 4 p.m. Tuesday, with those closures remaining in effect today.
Most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also is closed. Guests with reservations at Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp will be able to access lodging, but the park is closed to recreational use.
The county opened emergency shelters to accommodate those needing refuge during the storm. The shelters are located at Pahoa High School, Hilo High School, Keaau Armory, Robert Herkes Gymnasium in Pahala, Naalehu Community Center, Honokaa High School, Hisaoka Gymnasium in Kohala and Waimea Elementary School.
The shelters are pet-friendly, and pet owners are required to bring their own carriers and necessary animal supplies.
State offices and state courts in Hawaii County are closed today to allow employees to respond to the effects of the storm. Nonessential employees affected by the closing of those offices were instructed to not report to work and shall be granted administrative leave.
The exception is for “departmental disaster/emergency coordinators, disaster response workers, and employees whose work involves continuing crucial operations/services, such as hospital workers, correctional workers, etc.”
Employees who fall into one of the above categories are required to report to work to ensure essential operations continue throughout the county.
In anticipation of Calvin, Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation to make resources available to address potential storm impacts.
The storm was forecast to bring rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible, mainly along the windward areas of the Big Island. Those rain amounts present the potential for flash flooding, plus mudslides and rock slides — all of which, should they occur, will necessitate clean up after Calvin leaves the Big Island behind.
Storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are expected elsewhere in the state, forecasters said.
The state Department of Transportation said Tuesday that Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka International Kona Airport at Keahole will remain fully operational. Travelers are advised to contact their airline to check for any delays or cancellations.
Hilo and Kawaihae harbors on Hawaii Island also remain fully operational. The DOT will take appropriate action with harbor users and tenants if the U.S, Coast Guard determines storm conditions require any changes.
On the southeast side of the island, Kawa Flats in the vicinity of Whittington Beach Park and Honuapo, both in Ka‘u, are known for flooding during heavy rain and should be avoided.
DOT also will be monitoring Hilo Bayfront Highway (Route 19) and is prepared to close the highway between Waianuenue Avenue intersection and Pauahi Street. Should Bayfront be closed due to high surf, the county’s Kamehameha Avenue will be used as a detour.
And on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19), the three large gulches along the Hamakua Coast — Maulua, Laupahoehoe and Kaawalii — are all susceptible to rockslides and mudslides during heavy rain. Motorists are advised to enter those areas with caution.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
