A state of emergency has been declared in Hawaii as Hurricane Kiko barrels toward the popular vacation destination.

Sylvia Luke stepped in as acting governor while Democrat Gov. Josh Green was in Italy. She declared a state of emergency Friday night to ensure that Hawaii was ready for the incoming storm.

‘The proclamation activates emergency measures and resources to protect public health, safety and welfare,’ Luke said.

“Hurricane Kiko, bringing tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain, and high surf, could impact parts of the state as early as Monday, September 8, 2025,” she stated.

By Sunday evening, the hurricane’s position was approximately 635 miles east of Hilo on the Big Island. It was projected to pass north of the Hawaiian islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Fortunately, Hawaii appeared to dodge the worst of the storm, which was downgraded from a Category 3 to a Category 2 on Sunday night. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were clocked at 110 mph, moving west-northwest at 13 mph.

The storm is anticipated to lose strength as it encounters cooler waters and drier air by Monday night, with its center expected to pass north of the islands by mid-week.

“There are still potential effects, like wind and rain, but tropical force winds don’t seem likely,” said James Barros, Hawaii Emergency Management Administrator, in an interview with the New York Post.

Hurricane Kiko was downgraded to a Category 2 storm on Sunday night as it approaches the Hawaiian islands

The center of the storm is expected to pass north of Hawaii on Tuesday and Wednesday

‘Gusts could disrupt trade wind patterns and most of the rain forecast is from remnants behind the system rather than the system itself.’ 

Forecasters also warn that potentially life-threatening rip currents and surf along the islands’ east-facing shores with waves could reach 10 to 15 feet.

Still, state and local officials are taking all necessary precautions ‘in case the forecast is off or the storm shifts south.’

At Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management, for example, Deputy Director Jennifer Walter and her employees spent the day Saturday trying to improve communication flows, according to Hawaii News Now.

The agency now hopes to expedite its messaging to inform the public quickly of shelter locations and city closures.   

Luke’s emergency order also activates the Hawaii National Guard, frees up state disaster funds and suspends procurement and regulatory laws to speed up the storm response.

Additionally, it authorizes all state agencies to coordinate disaster efforts through September 19.

‘To ensure the safety and preparedness of  our communities, the state and counties will stand ready to mobilize resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure and respond quickly to any possible damage caused by the storm,’ Luke said.

Residents are urged to stock up on essential items, and are advising tourists to monitor flight and hotel alerts in case of any cancelations

State and local officials stress that preparedness is key in these types of storms 

‘We urge residents and visitors to monitor updates, follow official guidance and prepare accordingly.’ 

Residents are also urged to stock up on essential items, and are advising tourists to monitor flight and hotel alerts in case of any cancelations.

‘Preparedness is always going to be the answer for this,’ said Matthew Wells, communications director for the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region.

Walter echoed those sentiments. 

‘I always think about these storms approaching that miss us almost like when you have a house guest and you’ve cleaned your house and you’ve gotten all ready and then maybe they cancel, but at the end of it, you have a clean house and a fridge full of food,’ she explained. 

Kiko is already the 11th named system in the eastern Pacific this year, and the Pacific hurricane season still has three months left to go.

The season runs from May 15 until November 30, making it two weeks longer than the Atlantic hurricane season.

Previously, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted a ‘below-normal season’ for the eastern Pacific, with 12 to 18 named storms, five to 10 hurricanes, and up to five major hurricanes.