Tropical Cyclones Swirl South of Hawaii Without Impact

Tropical Cyclones Swirl South of Hawaii Without Impact \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Two tropical systems—Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli—are moving westward in the Pacific but are not expected to directly impact Hawaii. Iona, the first named hurricane of the Central Pacific season, may intensify briefly before weakening midweek. Dry, breezy conditions and minor swells may occur, but officials anticipate no significant hazards to the islands.

Quick Looks

• Hurricane Iona formed from a tropical depression and is now a Category 1 storm.
• It’s located over 800 miles southeast of Honolulu, tracking westward at 13 mph.
• Winds from Iona may create dry and breezy weather in the islands, similar to past events.
• Tropical Storm Keli also formed Monday but is not forecast to strengthen significantly.
• Neither system is expected to bring direct impacts like rainfall or severe winds.
• Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has activated monitoring protocols with all counties.
• A high surf advisory is expected Thursday from an unrelated swell from New Zealand.

Deep Look

Two tropical cyclones—Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli—are spinning far southeast of Hawaii this week, stirring atmospheric conditions but posing no direct threat to the Hawaiian Islands, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) and state officials.

Hurricane Iona became the first named storm of the 2025 Central Pacific hurricane season, rapidly intensifying from a tropical depression on Sunday to a Category 1 hurricane by Monday morning. The storm is currently moving westward across open ocean waters with sustained winds of 85 mph (137 kph) and a forward speed of 13 mph (21 kph). Located over 800 miles (1,300 km) southeast of Honolulu, Iona is expected to continue strengthening into a major hurricane by Tuesday before weakening midweek as it drifts away from populated areas.

No Direct Threat, But Breezy, Dry Weather Likely

Despite Iona’s growing strength, weather experts stress that the storm poses no direct threat to Hawaii’s residents or infrastructure. “It’s pretty high confidence that it’s not going to have any direct impacts on the islands,” said Derek Wroe, meteorologist with the NWS office in Honolulu.

However, indirect impacts are anticipated. As Iona’s system causes significant upward atmospheric motion, Hawaii may experience dry and breezy weather conditions due to the compensating downward air pressure. Wroe compared this effect to the pattern observed during Hurricane Dora in August 2023, which, although it passed far south of the islands, was partly blamed for creating the dry, gusty conditions that worsened the catastrophic wildfires in Lahaina.

Wroe emphasized that while some red flag conditions might be met, Iona is not expected to recreate the extreme wind scenarios that exacerbated the deadly firestorm in West Maui. At the peak of Hurricane Dora’s influence, gusts reached 50 mph in central Maui and over 60 mph on the Big Island. With Iona, current models predict localized gusts slightly above 40 mph (64 kph) and sustained winds of around 20 mph (32 kph) in some areas.

Tropical Storm Keli Also Forms but Shows No Threat

Joining Iona in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Keli developed Monday and is located roughly 1,030 miles (1,658 km) southeast of Honolulu. With sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and tracking west at 12 mph (19 kph), Keli may strengthen slightly over the next 24 hours before weakening later in the week. Like Iona, Keli is not expected to affect Hawaii directly, either in terms of rainfall or high winds.

Emergency Services Monitoring the Situation Closely

In response to the developments, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) held a statewide coordination call on Monday with representatives from all four counties. The NWS provided detailed updates on both storms. “All counties are monitoring,” said HI-EMA spokesperson Kiele Amundson.

Although no coastal watches or warnings are in effect, the state is taking no chances. Agencies are using Iona’s development as a reminder of the importance of storm preparedness and coordination during hurricane season.

Swells from Another Storm May Confuse Observers

One notable side effect of the tropical systems is public confusion over upcoming surf conditions. While both Iona and Keli could contribute to minor swells, Wroe clarified that the larger, more significant swell arriving Thursday is actually unrelated to these tropical systems.

This incoming wave energy, expected to bring south shore surf heights over 10 feet (3 meters), was generated by a storm several hundred miles east of New Zealand. The NWS anticipates issuing a high surf advisory across Hawaii’s southern shores due to this unrelated swell. “People might wrongly attribute the swell energy to be from these tropical systems, but they’re actually not,” Wroe emphasized.

Tropical Weather and Wildfire Risk: A Delicate Balance

As tropical weather systems pass south of Hawaii more frequently, experts are increasingly focused on how indirect effects from distant hurricanes can amplify local hazards—particularly during wildfire season. Dry air, low humidity, and enhanced winds can create a tinderbox environment across parts of the state.

This concern remains heightened after the August 2023 Lahaina fire disaster, which resulted in 102 deaths and the destruction of a historic town. The dry, gusty conditions linked to Hurricane Dora’s distant presence were cited as major contributing factors in worsening the blaze.

While current models don’t forecast anything close to a repeat of those conditions, caution remains a priority.

Looking Ahead: Staying Vigilant During Hurricane Season

The development of Iona and Keli underscores the unpredictability of Pacific hurricane season, which typically runs from June through November. With rising ocean temperatures and ongoing El Niño patterns, storm formation and intensity could increase, experts warn.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to:

• Stay informed through official sources like the National Hurricane Center and NWS Honolulu.
• Prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans.
• Avoid speculation on social media and rely on vetted updates.

Even though Iona and Keli appear poised to pass harmlessly, preparedness and awareness remain crucial tools for navigating the 2025 storm season.

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