Tourists watch surfers out in choppy waves at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu as Hurricane Ana passes southwest of Hawaii.(AP)
Honolulu:
Hurricane Ana was on course to miss Hawaii while generating strong winds and heavy rains that prompted flash-flood warnings and lured surfers with high waves.
The center of the powerful Pacific storm was about 130 miles (209 kilometers) southwest of Honolulu, and it was losing speed as it churned southwest of the islands, the National Weather Service said.
"The intensity of Ana is slowly expected to weaken," said Chris Brenchley, a weather service meteorologist.
A tropical storm warning was issued for Kauai and a tropical storm watch remained in effect on Oahu but was lifted for Maui, Lanai and the Big Island.
Waves were expected to remain high through Sunday.
Ana became a Category 1 hurricane Friday. The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken and again become a tropical storm by Sunday night.
The American Red Cross closed its evacuation shelters on the Big Island and opened shelters on Oahu. Island Air suspended its Maui and Lanai flights Saturday afternoon and all flights Sunday, but airports remained open.
"We don't want anyone to let their guard down," said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
The center of the powerful Pacific storm was about 130 miles (209 kilometers) southwest of Honolulu, and it was losing speed as it churned southwest of the islands, the National Weather Service said.
"The intensity of Ana is slowly expected to weaken," said Chris Brenchley, a weather service meteorologist.
A tropical storm warning was issued for Kauai and a tropical storm watch remained in effect on Oahu but was lifted for Maui, Lanai and the Big Island.
Waves were expected to remain high through Sunday.
Ana became a Category 1 hurricane Friday. The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken and again become a tropical storm by Sunday night.
The American Red Cross closed its evacuation shelters on the Big Island and opened shelters on Oahu. Island Air suspended its Maui and Lanai flights Saturday afternoon and all flights Sunday, but airports remained open.
"We don't want anyone to let their guard down," said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
