A forecast model from the National Hurricane Center shows the approximate path of Tropical Storm Calvin as of Sunday afternoon. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER graphic
Once a Category 3 hurricane, Calvin had weakened to a tropical storm by Sunday but was still headed directly for the Hawaiian Islands, prompting Maui County and state officials to urge caution ahead of the storm’s likely arrival this week.
Tropical Storm Calvin was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as of Sunday, down from 120 mph on Friday but still capable of kicking up high surf, heavy rainfall, elevated streams and flooding, county officials warned.
“As we track the storm and hope for the best outcome of minimal or no impact to our islands, it’ s important to remain watchful and prepare should storm conditions of high winds and heavy rains arrive as predicted,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release Sunday.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Calvin was located 1,150 miles east of Hilo and moving west at 17 mph, putting it on track to reach the Central Pacific basin late Sunday or early Monday and approach the islands on Tuesday and early Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecast models show the center of the storm is likely to pass directly over Hawaii island and just slightly south of Maui County on Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds can extend up to 90 miles from the center.
A Hawaii Emergency Management Agency brochure explains the items needed for a two-week emergency supply kit. State and county officials are urging the public to be prepared for the possibility of heavy rain, strong winds and high surf as Tropical Storm Calvin reaches the islands this week. HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY graphic
Four to 7 inches of rainfall are possible along windward areas of Hawaii island from Tuesday night into Thursday, with 1 to 4 inches expected elsewhere in the state, potentially leading to flash flooding and mudslides, the hurricane center said.
Swells generated by Calvin are expected to begin reaching the islands during the next couple of days and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the center added.
Bissen and other county officials participated in briefings conducted by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency through the weekend and will continue to do so daily, the county said.
The county’s Emergency Operating Center is in a ready state and standing by to activate in the event of dangerous storm conditions.
“We’re still hopeful that Calvin won’t cause any major problems, but after three quiet hurricane seasons we don’t want people to be complacent about this hazard,” Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros said in a news release Saturday.
“Even if it weakens as expected, the storm still poses potential threats from heavy rain, high wind and coastal waves and rip currents. Don’t be caught unprepared.”
The past three years were all below-normal seasons for hurricanes. Both the 2022 and 2021 hurricane seasons saw just one tropical cyclone apiece in the Central Pacific, while 2020 saw two storms.
This year, with El Nino conditions and warmer ocean conditions in the forecast, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicted an above-normal hurricane season with four to seven storms moving through the area. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
“We all need to shake off the rust from those slow seasons to be sure we’re prepared for a hurricane,” Barros said. “We’re not sure what Calvin will bring, but it’s still a great reminder of what we need to do to get ready.”
Ahead of the storm, state and county officials recommend:
• Signing up for emergency alerts from your county at
• Knowing your hazards by checking around your home and business for tree branches that need trimming or other objects that might become damaging projectiles in a high wind. Secure lanai furniture and other items that could become airborne. Clear obstructions in drainage areas and consider sandbags to channel water away from areas that commonly flood.
• Making a plan by discussing ways to reconnect if household members are separated during the storm and need to meet up later, possibly while power or communications are down. Know the routes to leave the area if it’s not safe to stay at home.
• Preparing emergency supplies including 14 days’ worth of food, water, medicine and other essentials for each member of the household. To learn more about being “two weeks ready,” visit
• Relying on authoritative sources of information, such as county emergency managers or the National Weather Service. Don’t spread misinformation about an emergency — if it seems too crazy to be true, it may be false, the agency said.
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit or
To report power outages or see current outages around the state, visit
- A Hawaii Emergency Management Agency brochure explains the items needed for a two-week emergency supply kit. State and county officials are urging the public to be prepared for the possibility of heavy rain, strong winds and high surf as Tropical Storm Calvin reaches the islands this week. HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY graphic
- A forecast model from the National Hurricane Center shows the approximate path of Tropical Storm Calvin as of Sunday afternoon. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER graphic
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
The Maui News Maui County Department of Finance Director Scott Teruya was placed on administrative leave on last ...
Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, formerly on Front Street in Lahaina Town and destroyed by the fire, announced the ...
