Hurricane Kiko, a powerful Category 4 storm, is advancing toward the Hawaiian Islands, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency, The Hill reported.
As of 5 a.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (11 a.m. Eastern Time), the National Weather Service (NWS) placed the hurricane about 1,205 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, with sustained winds of 130 mph. Kiko was moving west-northwest at 25 mph, positioning it to impact Big Island and Maui by Sunday, with peak effects expected across eastern Hawaii between late Monday and midweek.
On Friday, Hawaii issued a state of emergency, enabling access to federal disaster aid if needed. “To ensure the safety and preparedness of our communities, the state and counties will stand ready to mobilize resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure, and respond quickly to any possible damage caused by the storm,” said Acting Governor Sylvia Luke. She urged residents and visitors to stay updated, heed official advisories, and prepare for potential disruptions.
While Kiko is expected to weaken as it approaches the islands due to cooler surrounding waters—downgrading from Category 4 to Category 2, then to Category 1, and eventually a tropical storm—authorities continue to warn of dangerous surf, rip currents, and heavy rainfall.
Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) cautioned that it is still too early to pinpoint the storm’s exact impact. In a statement on X, it said, “Kiko will approach Hawai‘i during the early to middle portion of next week. Wind and rain impacts remain a possibility, but it is still too soon to determine the exact location and magnitude.”
Kiko marks the second hurricane of the current season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Last month, Hurricane Erin formed in the Atlantic but did not make landfall.
