Thursday, August 22, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 22, 2024



TROPICAL STORM HONE WAS NOT NAMED HECTOR because she made it to the Central Pacific before becoming a Tropical Storm on Thursday. Central Pacific Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Hawai'i Island. Hawai'i County Civil Defense explained that a Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.
    Civil Defense urges the following: 
    "Please take this time to review your emergency plans and prepare your emergency kit.
    Prepare your property for heavy rains and flooding conditions.
    You will be informed as conditions change."
    The 11 p.m. forecast from Hawai'i Hurricane Center says:
    The initial intensity of Hone has been increased slightly to 40 knots with this advisory. Air Force Reserve Reconnaissance Aircraft will give us a better idea of the intensity, structure, and size of Hone
Friday morning. The initial motion for this advisory is set at 280/12 knots. This general motion is expected to continue during the next several days as Hone is steered by a large subtropical ridge to the north.
    A decrease in forward speed and a slight turn towards the west-northwest is expected during the first half of next week as a weakness develops in the subtropical ridge north of the system. The official forecast track lies nearly on top of the track from the previous advisory, and closely follows the tightly clustered consensus guidance.
    Environmental conditions will change little during the next few days. Hone will remain in an environment characterized by low to moderate vertical wind shear, sea surface temperatures around 26 to 27C, and sufficient deep layer moisture. This is expected to support gradual strengthening of the system as it moves in a general westward direction during the next couple of days.
    It appears that there is a window for further intensification Sunday through Tuesday as the system tracks south of the Hawaiian Islands. Hone will be moving into an area with sea surface temperatures of 27C and higher ocean heat content, while the westerly vertical wind shear remains at light to moderate levels. This could allow Hone to reach Hurricane strength and the current official forecast reflects this. Beyond day 4, westerly vertical wind shear increases sharply to between 30 and 35 knots, and some drier mid-level air appears to begin entraining into the system. This should result in a weakening trend by day 5.
    
KEY MESSAGES:
1. There is the potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding on portions of the Big Island starting later Saturday, continuing through Sunday and lingering into Monday as a large area of moisture associated with Hone. The heaviest rainfall will likely occur over windward and southeast facing slopes.

2. Tropical storm conditions are possible on the Big Island later Saturday into Sunday. Winds are expected to be strongest where they blow downslope from higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes.

3. Swell generated by Hone is expected to reach the Hawaiian islands Saturday night into Sunday. This swell could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Listen for later advisories and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
    While Hone comes this way, Hurricane Gilma is expected to weaken below Tropical Storm intensity before traveling near Hawai'i and could completely dissipate without reaching Hawaiian waters, according to the NOAA forecast.

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Lady Trojan Kiara Ortega-Oliveira digs a spike during Tuesday night's BIIF volleyball match against the Lady Cougars at Keaau High School with Trojans Coach Josh Ortega in the background. Photo by Tim Wright

Kaʻū 's Zia Rae Wroblewski taps the ball over during Tuesday night's BIIF
 winning volleyball match at Keaau High School. Photo by Tim Wright

KA'U LADY TROJANS VOLLEYBALL TEAM WON  TWO MATCHES, THIS WEEK BEATING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY at home on Thursday in three straight games of varsity play, 25-6, 25-14, and 25-12. The Trojans beat Kea'au on Tuesday, 25-13, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25.
    Coach is Josh Ortega, Assistant Coach is Sarah Ortega, Trainer Moses Whitcomb and Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo.
     The varsity team is comprised of Mckenzie Decoito, Leahi Kaupu, Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio, Kiara Ortrega-Oliveira, Jazmyn Navarro, Aubrey Delos Santos-Graig, Aljshae Barrios, CaLiya Silva-Kamei and Zia Rae Wroblewski.
    The JV team is comprised of Deijah Cabanilla-Nogales, Lily Dacalio, Christy Girl Grohs, Megan Pierpont, Kalesha Hashimoto, Alazae Forcum, Wailea Kainoa Haili-Barawis and Dhaylee Cabreros.


Leahi Kaupu spikes Lady Cougars at Keaau High School. Photo by Tim Wright

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