Ocean Blog

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the entire Big Island as Hone is expected to bring increasing wind and the possibility of excessive rain to parts of the island this weekend. The storm was moving west at 16 mph. Its maximum sustained winds increased, now at 50 mph, up from 45 mph earlier this morning.

The newest detail to develop overnight was that once the storm passes by the Big Island, it is forecast to intensify, reaching hurricane strength late Sunday into Monday as it moves south of Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.

The latest forecast track issued at 5 p.m. today by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu shows Tropical Storm Hone’s center still passing south or possibly near the Big Island on Saturday night into Sunday morning as a strong tropical storm.

The storm was located 885 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 915 miles east-southeast of South Point as of 11 a.m. today, moving west-northwest at 14 mph. It could be close to hurricane strength by this weekend.

A well-defined area of low pressure continues to become more organized, producing showers and thunderstorms, and is expected to merge with a weaker disturbance. A tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to develop later today. The storm is then expected to become more powerful and move into the Central Pacific on a trek near the islands.

Another 77 matchups in the master, junior and open classes are on today’s race card, slated to start at 8 a.m. Overflow parking is now available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Divison of Aquatic Resources divers will check on the colonies later this year to determine if further action is needed. Nonprofit Kuleana Coral Restoration is also conducting follow-up surveys and will submit updates to the state aquatic resources division and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Today’s last race is expected to begin at 4:19 p.m., but the schedule can change. A medal ceremony is planned after matchups conclude for the day.

100-plus people, including original crew member John Kruse of Kauaʻi, lined Hanalei Pier to welcome the legendary double-hulled voyaging canoe and its crew Saturday morning. The vessel is expected to reach the Big Island on its journey toward the end of October.

The event features 8 days of prestigious international outrigger canoe racing, spotlighting the best of the best 1,866 teams of men, women and youth from around the world in the sport. It’s also a display of culture from around the world that’s not to be missed.

The powerhouses of paddling took to the waters of Hilo Bay a little later than planned Friday morning, officially launching 8 days of outrigger canoe racing on the Big Island.

The purpose of the sail, which will cover 3,000 miles throughout the state, is for training and to connect with communities, especially students and their families.

“If we can understand them, understand their behavior and what they’re doing, then it can tell us a lot about some of the changes that are taking place in the ocean. The whales are amazing themselves, but they’re even more valuable when we think about them as these, basically, indicators of ocean health.” — Marc Lammers, research ecologist with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

The trip is part of continual preparations for the Moananuiākea circumnavigation of the Pacific and will take about one week.

Results of water sample retesting at Puako Middle of Lot on the Kohala Coast showed that enterococci levels no longer exceed the acceptable threshold.

The atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is home to more than 70 endangered Hawaiian monk seals and also serves as the nesting grounds for the world’s largest colony of mōlī, or Laysan Albatross, and nearly 2 million birds of 19 different species, including the world’s most endangered duck, the Laysan duck.

Warning-level surf of 11 to 15 feet is the result of a medium, long-period south swell expected to impact the entire state through Saturday morning.

Plans for the new care center have been in development for 5 years and got a kick start this year by being awarded a $13,200 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It should begin accepting patients this summer.

On Wednesday, Hawaiian Adventures Kona was about 10 miles offshore with 26 guests when Capt. Andrew Aggergaard and crew member Olivia Miller saw a pod of six Risso’s dolphins for the first time.

A new study by researchers from the University of Hawai‘i and Arizona State University along with community partners in Tahiti found that just dredging the site would cause at least $1.3 million in damage to the live reef habitat.