Traveling to Hawaii this week? What Hurricane Fausto means for your trip

Hurricane Fausto will pass near Hawaii early this week. Forecasters expect it to weaken before arriving, but the storm is worrisome for anyone traveling to the islands. Here’s what travelers need to know.

Where Fausto is now

Fausto, according to the National Hurricane Center’s update at 5 p.m. Hawaii time on Saturday. Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mphIt is centered about 1,060 miles east of Hilo and moving west at 13 miles per hour. It was expected to move to the Central Pacific on Sunday and weaken from there.

Will it hit Hawaii?

Probably not directly. The latest forecast track shows Fausto on Tuesday and Wednesday just north of the islands as a weakening tropical storm, with winds dropping to around 45 mph. Forecasters say the strongest winds and heaviest rain will likely remain offshore to the north, but a slight change in track could change that. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect Sunday.

Main danger: dangerous surf

The clearest effect is in water. Storm center in question Waves from Fausto will reach the islands well before the storm and will settle on the east-facing coasts of the eastern islands starting Sunday and spread westward by Monday and Tuesday. These waves are expected to bring life-threatening surf and strong rip currents. Government officials on Oahu covered his tracks to the Makapuu tide pools as a precaution.

What about flights?

Flights were continuing normally on Sunday. Hawaiian Airlines, the islands’ largest carrier, reported just one cancellation networkwide on Sunday. According to FlightAwareand no Hawaii airports were among those experiencing significant delays. The airline had not issued a travel exemption for Fausto, and the U.S. Coast Guard designated Whiskey in Port Status for all Hawaii commercial ports as a precaution. Anyone flying to or from the islands this week should still follow airline advisories.

Things travelers should do

• Monitor your airline and the National Weather Service in Honolulu for updates.

• Stay out of the water on east- and south-facing shores and pay attention to lifeguard and closure signs.

• If you are staying on the coast or in an area prone to flooding, know your evacuation zone.

• Officials urge residents to have at least a 14-day supply of food, water and medicine on hand during hurricane season.

Fausto became the first hurricane to move towards the Central Pacific this season. A Hurricane Hunter plane was scheduled to fly into the storm on Sunday to sharpen the forecast.