UPDATE: 1:30 a.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for parts of the Big Island until 3:15 a.m.

Rainfall tonight was recorded at up to 2 inches per hour in the Kau District between Naalehu and South Point. Heavy rainfall also continued over the windward slopes of the Big Island.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency reported that North Kulani Road is closed due to the overflow of a nearby flood retention basin. Heavy rainfall will continue through the night as Hurricane Hone passes south of the Big Island.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Big Island mariners who are advised to remain in port, alter course and to secure their vessels. The National Weather Service said east winds at 45 to 65 knots with gusts up to 75 and seas 15 to 25 feet in Leeward and southeast waters off the Big Island.

A hurricane warning is also in effect for Hawaiian offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles including the portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals. Hurricane conditions can be expected Sunday with isolated thunderstorms in southeast waters.

11 p.m., Saturday

Hone strengthened into a hurricane late tonight with maximum sustained winds at least 75 mph.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Big Island with Hone located 105 miles south of Hilo and 275 miles southeast off Honolulu as of 11 p.m.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are imminent or occurring somewhere within the warning area.

Tropical Storm conditions are expected on the Big Island through early Sunday. Winds are expected to be strongest downslope of higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes.

Hone is expected to produce storm total rainfall of 6 to 12 inches over mainly windward and southeast facing slopes of the Big Island, with locally higher amounts possible. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible over portions of the smaller islands, mainly windward.

Hone is moving toward the west near 12 mph and this motion is expected to continue into Monday, with slight slowing expected thereafter. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected tonight into early Sunday, followed by a gradual weakening trend Sunday afternoon.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

8 p.m.

Tropical Storm Hone strengthened slightly and is nearing hurricane strength this evening.

Hone, with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph, is 105 miles south-southeast of Hilo and 290 miles southeast of Honolulu as of 8 p.m. It has strengthened slightly and is nearing hurricane strength.

Hone is moving toward the west near 15 mph and this motion is expected to continue into Monday, with slight slowing expected early next week.

Maximum sustained winds were measured by a U.S. Air Force Hurricane aircraft near 70 mph with higher gusts. Modest strengthening is possible over the next 24 to 36 hours, with Hone holding near hurricane intensity Sunday into Monday.

5:35 p.m.

Tropical Storm Hone remains on track to pass just south of Hawaii island tonight, avoiding a direct hit but bringing strong winds and heavy rains through Sunday morning.

At 5 p.m., Hone was centered 125 miles south-southeast of Hilo and 320 miles southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. It was moving west at 14 mph and tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend about 125 miles from Hone’s center, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Big Island.

Hone’s updated five-day track has the tropical storm moving west far south of the smaller islands through Monday.

“Modest strengthening is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours, with Hone peaking just below hurricane intensity Sunday into Monday,” forecasters said.

Tropical storm conditions are expected on the Big Island through early Sunday and winds are expected to be strongest downslope of high terrain, over headlands, and through mountain passes, they said.

Hone is expected to produce rainfall of 6 to 12 inches over mainly windward and southeast slopes of the Big Island, with locally higher amounts possible, according to the 5 p.m. update. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible over portions of the smaller islands as Hone passes south of the state Sunday and Monday.

Large swells generated by Hone will continue through Sunday, bringing dangerous conditions with life-threatening surf and rip currents, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service said after 5 p.m. today that up to 4 inches of rain has already fallen across windward Hawaii island, and heavier showers are moving in as Hone nears.

“Bands of additional heavy showers and thunderstorms will affect the Big Island tonight and will bring a threat of flash flooding to the entire Big Island into Sunday, though the greatest potential will be across the Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, and Kau Districts,” NWS officials said.

Some areas of the Big Island have experienced winds of about 30 mph and gusts over 50 mph, and a few sites in and around Kohala Ranch saw gusts over 60 mph.

“These winds will continue to increase this evening and will likely be locally damaging,” officials said.

A red flag warning for the smaller islands has expired as conditions that contribute to wildfires abate.

Hawaii island is under a flood watch through Monday afternoon. A wind advisory for portions of the smaller islands is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday with northeast winds of 20 to 35 mph and gusts over 55 mph possible.

“Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles,” National Weather Service forecasters said.

2:40 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Hawaii island until 5:45 p.m. today.

Radar at 2:37 p.m. moderate to locally heavy showers moving ashore on Hawaii island with rain falling at 0.5 to 1 inch per hour along already saturated windward Hawaii island areas. the NWS said. Rainfall is expected to continue through tonight.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Papaikou, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Mountain View, Glenwood, Hakalau, Volcano, Ninole, Keaau, Laupahoehoe, Hawaiian Acres, Ookala, Orchidlands Estates, Paauilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

2 p.m.

Located about 155 miles southeast of Hilo as of 2 p.m., Tropical Storm Hone is maintaining its strength and forward speed west, according to the National Weather Service.

Although forecasters say Hone could strengthen further over the next 24, it is not expected to reach hurricane strength. The storm is still on track to pass just south of Hawaii island tonight and Sunday morning, moving off west of the area early next week.

Moderate rainfall of 1 to 3 inches has already dampened windward areas of Hawaii island. Bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to intensify late this afternoon and tonight, raising the threat of flash flooding for the entire island, the NWS said. However, Hamakua, Hilo, Puna and Kau Districts remain at greatest risk.

Storm total rainfall estimates for Hawaii island this weekend range from 6 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts. A few lingering thunderstorms and heavy showers may persist over portions of Hawaii island into Monday, particularly over leeward and upslope areas, weather officials say.

Preparations for Tropical Storm Hone should be complete.

1 p.m.

In response to the wildfire and flooding threats posed by Tropical Storm Hone’s approach toward the islands, Gov. Josh Green has declared a state of emergency to streamline funding of emergency operations.

Additionally, there are some closures, cancellations and openings on Hawaii island in response to the approaching storm:

>> All Hawaii County beach parks are closed until further notice.

>> Hele On bus service has canceled routes through the weekend. Check here for a list of canceled routes.

>> Public shelters are now open. Following is a list of shelters open as of noon today:

In Ka`u – Ka`u Herkes Gym and Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria

In Puna – Pahoa High School Gym, Kea`au High School Library and G Building, and Mt View Elementary School Cafeteria.

In Hilo – Waiakea High School Gym.

In Hamakua – Honoka`a High School and Intermediate School Cafeteria.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency advises those planning on riding out the storm at a public shelter to prepare all personal items to stay overnight and complete getting to a designated shelter no later than 6 p.m.

11:20 a.m.

Tropical Storm Hone continues to churn on a course south of the islands as Hurricane Gilma surprisingly picks up steam in the Eastern Pacific.

Located about 185 miles southeast of Hilo and 395 miles southeast of Honolulu at 11 a.m., Hone held steady with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph while heading west at 15 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Although weather officials still expect Hone to continue on its current track for the next few days, slowing in forward speed after the weekend, it’s now forecast to peak just below hurricane strength Sunday through Monday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from Hone’s center.

A myriad of watches, advisories and warnings are in effect for the Hawaiian islands and their surrounding waters:

>> A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii island and its surrounding waters. Wind forecasts vary across the island but some areas could see sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa could see gusts of 75 mph.

>> A flood watch is in effect for Hawaii island through Monday evening. “Storm total rainfall estimates for the Big Island will range from 5 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts possible,” the National Weather Service said. The higher end of the range applies primarily to the windward mountain slopes of each island.

>> A red flag warning has been dropped for Hawaii island but remains in effect for the leeward areas of the other islands. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.

“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the NWS said. “Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.”

>> A wind advisory is in effect for Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County through 6 a.m. Monday. Northeast winds of 20 to 35 mph with localized gusts to 55 mph are expected to buffet the islands. “Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles,” the NWS said.

>> A high surf warning is in effect for the east shores of Hawaii island through 6 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters expect dangerous “large and disorganized” surf up to 14 to 18 feet today through this evening.

>> A high surf advisory is in effect for the east shores of Maui through 6 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters expect surf rising to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon through tonight.

In a hurricane local statement today, weather officials said “bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to intensify this afternoon and tonight, bringing a threat of flash flooding” to Hawaii island, though Hamakua, Hilo, Puna and Kau Districts are at greatest risk.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Gilma jumped in strength.

Located about 1,585 miles east of Hilo at 11 a.m., Gilma had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph while heading west at 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

“Some additional strengthening could occur during the next several hours,” the NHC said. However, the storm is expected to again start weakening on Sunday through early next week.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from Gilma’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Tropical Storm Hone continues to strengthen as it approaches the islands from the southeast as Hurricane Gilma loses steam in the Eastern Pacific.

Located about 220 miles southeast of Hilo and 425 miles east-southeast of Honolulu at 8 a.m. today, Hone was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph while heading west at 15 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expect Hone to continue on its current track over the next few days, with its center passing near or south of Hawaii island tonight into early Sunday.

More strengthening is also expected over the next few days, with Hone expected to become a hurricane Sunday through Monday after it passes Hawaii island, the CPHC said.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from Hone’s center.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii island, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected in the area within 36 hours.

Hilo, Pahoa and Volcano on Hawaii island could see rainfall amounts of up to 8 to 12 inches. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible over portions of the smaller islands, mainly windward.

Wind forecasts vary across the islands but some areas could see sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa could see gusts of 65 mph.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, forecasters expect a weakening Gilma to remain a hurricane for another day or two.

Located about 1,645 miles east of Hilo as of 5 a.m., Gilma had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph while heading west at 9 mph, according to the Nation Hurricane Center in Miami.

Weather officials expect Gilma to continue weakening over the next day or two while remaining a hurricane through the weekend. However, the storm should increase in forward speed over the next few days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from Gilma’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

Emergency proclamation for Storm Hone by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd