HONOLULU, Hawaii — Hurricane Lane weakened late Thursday to a Category 3 hurricane as it continued its pass by the Hawaiian Islands. Even so, flooding, high winds and landslides remained a major concern.
After dumping some two feet of rain on the Big Island, the greatest threat of rain and wind has shifted to the islands of Maui and Oahu through Friday, the National Weather Service said, with winds as high as 120 mph a possibility.
The hurricane began to pass to the west of the Big Island of Hawaii, on Thursday and, by 5 p.m. local time, the NWS had downgraded the danger level for the area to a tropical storm warning.
Five people, on vacation from Los Angeles, were rescued from a flooded house in Hilo on the east side of the island of Hawaii on Thursday. Two campers who were trapped overnight in the Waipio Valley had to be rescued by helicopter.
Early Friday, the storm was still some 215 miles from the island of Oahu, and the state capitol Honolulu, and both Oahu and Maui were still under a hurricane warnings.
Lane's center is predicted to move over or dangerously near the island on Friday, but the National Weather Service saysit remains a serious threat even if it remains over water.
"Regardless of the hurricane track life threatening impacts will extend far beyond the center position of Lane," the NWS says in its latest update. "Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity.
Hurricane Honeymoon
A couple from Australia who'd planned their dream wedding in Hawaii had slightly different nuptials than planned — though they seemed undaunted by the experience Thursday night as they walked to the beach to take photos just after their hurried wedding.
"We definitely did not expect this. It was a bit touch-and-go," said Jayde Dixon, 25.
"Our ceremony was supposed to happen at 5 o'clock at a chapel across town. But then last night they rang us up and said they were moving the whole thing to 3 to be safe. And moving it to the Hilton where we're staying."
The couple, from Townsville, Australia, had 15 friends and family with them.
"Not sure when they'll get home. They were supposed to fly out tomorrow but now they're staying," because their flights have been cancelled, said Jamie Dixon, 28.
The newlyweds are staying in Hawaii for their honeymoon and were looking forward to it.
"As long as the wedding happened in Hawaii, the rest doesn't matter," said Jamie.
