Hurricane Hone Drenches Hawaii’s Big Island With Over 28 Inches of Rain
Hurricane Hone formed in the Central Pacific basin on August 22, 2024, and strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it moved toward Hawaii. The cyclone reached peak intensity on August 25 with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph near 18.2°N, 155.3°W, south of the Big Island. Hone brought extreme rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds, and widespread power outages across Hawaii County despite remaining offshore. More than 20,000 residents across Hawaii lost electricity during the storm, while several Big Island locations recorded rainfall totals exceeding 20 inches.
Formation Near Central Pacific Waters: Hone’s Track From Tropical Depression to Hurricane
Hurricane Hone developed from a tropical depression on August 22, 2024, in the Central Pacific basin near 15.5°N, 137.5°W. The system organized over warm sea-surface temperatures, with sufficient moisture and a closed low-level circulation that allowed it to strengthen. Later on August 22, the cyclone became Tropical Storm Hone as it moved westward across the central Pacific.
Hone continued along a westward path over the following days. On August 23, the storm strengthened with maximum sustained winds increasing to 45 knots, while its central pressure fell to 1002. By August 24, Hone had reached winds of 53 knots and maintained a steady approach toward the Hawaiian Islands.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center tracked Hone’s formation and progression as the storm moved closer to Hawaii. Because the cyclone passed south of the islands, officials focused on rainfall, flooding, wind impacts, and marine hazards rather than a direct landfall scenario.
Hone’s path placed Hawaii County within the area most vulnerable to tropical-storm conditions. The Big Island’s mountainous terrain and exposed eastern slopes increased the potential for intense rainfall as the storm’s outer rainbands moved across the region.
Peak Strength South of Hawaii: Hone’s Hurricane Phase and Maximum Intensity
Hurricane Hone reached Category 1 strength on August 25, 2024, while located south of Hawaii’s Big Island. The cyclone reached maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and a central pressure of 988. At peak intensity, Hone was positioned near 18.2°N, 155.3°W over the Pacific Ocean.
The strongest winds remained offshore, but Hone’s rainbands spread across Hawaii County and produced severe weather conditions. Tropical cyclones can generate dangerous rainfall far from their centers, and Hone’s circulation fed persistent moisture into the island environment.
The storm’s rainfall became its most significant hazard. According to weather reports from the Big Island, multiple locations on the windward and southeastern slopes received more than 20 inches of rain during a 48-hour period. Hakalau recorded 28.82 inches of rainfall, while Saddle Quarry measured 25.03 inches.
The intense rainfall caused flash flooding across several communities and road networks. Heavy runoff flowed through steep terrain, affecting highways and local roads throughout Hawaii County. The combination of saturated ground, rising water levels, and strong winds created widespread travel disruptions.
After reaching its peak, Hone began weakening as it moved westward away from Hawaii. On August 26, the cyclone weakened back into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 58 knots and a central pressure of 997. The storm continued losing strength during the following days as environmental conditions became less favorable.
Hawaii County Impacts: Extreme Rainfall, Flooded Roads, and Major Power Outages
Hone produced its most serious impacts across Hawaii County, where heavy rainfall and strong winds disrupted transportation and damaged infrastructure. The storm’s effects were concentrated on the Big Island, particularly areas exposed to intense rainfall from the cyclone’s outer bands.
More than 20,000 people across Hawaii experienced power outages during Hone, with the majority of outages occurring on the Big Island. Strong winds contributed to downed trees, damaged utility equipment, and interruptions to electrical service.
Flooding forced closures on multiple roads. A large tree blocked traffic near the Mana Road area of the Maunakea Access Road, while Kaloli Drive and Huina Road were closed because of fallen trees. Cane Haul Road was closed due to flash flooding, and the eastern end of Wood Valley Road was also affected by floodwaters.
Major highway disruptions occurred in several locations. Highway 11 near Kawa Flats was closed because of flash flooding, and another section of Highway 11 in Kau between mile markers 65.5 and 66 was temporarily affected by flooding. A downed tree was also reported on Route 270 near Lapakahi State Park, and another tree damaged power lines in Milolii.
Local storm reports documented additional wind-related damage, including broken tree limbs and damaged power poles. Although Hone caused widespread disruption, Hawaii County reported no fatalities and no evacuation orders associated with the storm.
The rainfall totals became the defining feature of Hone’s impact. The 28.82 inches measured at Hakalau and the 25.03 inches recorded at Saddle Quarry ranked among the highest rainfall reports connected to the event, demonstrating the significant flooding threat created by the cyclone’s moisture-rich circulation.
Post-Tropical Transition Over the Pacific: Hone’s Final Track After Hawaii
After passing south of Hawaii, Hone continued moving westward across the Pacific while gradually weakening. The storm remained a tropical cyclone through late August but lost the organization and strength needed to maintain hurricane intensity.
By August 29, Hone weakened into a tropical depression. The system later underwent further changes as it moved into the western Pacific. The cyclone was designated a post-tropical cyclone on September 1, marking the end of its classification as a tropical system by the National Hurricane Center.
Other agencies continued monitoring the remnants of Hone afterward. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center ended tracking on September 4, while the Japan Meteorological Agency continued monitoring the system until September 8 at 06:00 UTC.
Hone’s 2024 lifecycle began on August 22 in the Central Pacific and included a brief Category 1 hurricane phase on August 25 before producing extreme rainfall and flooding impacts across Hawaii County. The cyclone was designated a post-tropical system on September 1 after moving across the Pacific.