Heavy rain, surf threaten Hawaii

Key Points:

• Hurricane Lowell, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 145 mph, is forecast to pass just west of the main Hawaiian Islands on Labor Day, remaining a major hurricane but avoiding a direct hit.
• Heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected on Kauai and the Big Island, with isolated totals over 10 inches, raising risks of flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas.
• Tropical storm conditions are possible in Kauai County by late Monday, with potential hurricane conditions in parts of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, along with storm surge and dangerous surf impacting coastal areas.
• Residents are urged to complete hurricane preparations over the weekend, know their evacuation zones, avoid flooded roads, and maintain emergency kits with essentials in case of power or communication outages.
• Officials emphasize closely monitoring forecasts and any issued watches or warnings due to the potential for a slight eastward track shift that could increase impacts, particularly on Kauai.