Tropical Storm Moke approaches Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds

Hawaii’s largest island, commonly called the Big Island, is confronting a renewed threat as an intensifying storm approaches for the second consecutive week. The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch for the island’s eastern and southeastern coasts, indicating sustained winds of 39–73 mph and the possibility of heavy rainfall, strong gusts, and localized flooding. The system, which has been gaining strength over the warm Pacific waters, is projected to move northwestward toward the island by early Thursday, prompting officials to activate emergency response protocols.

State and county agencies have begun pre‑emptive measures, including positioning sandbags in vulnerable low‑lying areas, securing public facilities, and urging residents to review evacuation routes and emergency kits. The Department of Transportation has placed extra crews on standby to clear roadways and restore power should outages occur. Historically, the Big Island’s topography—marked by steep slopes and volcanic terrain—has amplified storm impacts, making the current advisories especially critical. Authorities will continue to monitor the storm’s development and issue updates as conditions evolve, aiming to mitigate potential damage and ensure public safety.