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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 30, 2003

Hurricane Jimena likely to pass south of Hawai'i

 •  On the Web: For the latest on Hurricane Jimena's strength and course, go to: www.prh.noaa.gov/pr/hnl/cphc/pages/cphc.shtml
 •  Hurricane tips

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hurricane Jimena continues to head toward the Islands, but forecasters last night said the storm is expected to miss Hawai'i and pass south of the Big Island on Labor Day.

As of 11 p.m. yesterday, Jimena was 975 miles east southeast of Hilo and moving at about 18 mph in a west-northwest direction, the National Weather Service said. Jimena had winds of 100 mph with gusts up to 120 mph.

If Jimena holds its current path, the storm would pass 70 miles south of South Point on the Big Island early Monday as a minimal hurricane, lead forecaster Tim Craig said. Jimena was expected to enter the Central Pacific overnight, which means forecast responsibilities would be turned over to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center here.

Craig emphasized that Jimena is still far from the Islands and things could change in the next few days. But a subtropical ridge building north of the Islands was forecast to push the storm south of the Big Island. The forecast was for Jimena to weaken during the weekend.

"It's still a faraway system, and it has to move 1,100 miles over the next several days. Although we are relatively certain that it is going to pass south of Hawai'i, at this point in time it's way too early to tell you exactly how far south," Craig said. "So right now, all that we're saying is that it is forecast to be a hurricane passing south of the Islands Labor Day and people should stay abreast of the latest forecast."

The last hurricane to hit Hawai'i was Iniki in 1992, but Craig said there's no comparison and everything about this storm is different.

Iniki, which ravaged Kaua'i, was classified as a Category 4 hurricane, meaning there were sustained winds of 131 mph to 155 mph. The forecast for the Big Island on Labor Day calls for scattered showers with gusty trade winds of 15 mph to 30 mph.

The hurricane also may increase surf heights along the east and southeast shores. The weather service said surf may reach the advisory level of 8 feet tonight or the warning level of 15 feet tomorrow, depending on the strength and position of Jimena.

The forecast for the Big Island calls for showers and possibly thunderstorms tomorrow, with winds from 20 to 40 mph with higher gusts.

Word of the approaching hurricane apparently has not led to a rush at local stores to buy supplies.

At the Hilo Wal-Mart, store manager Boyd Schneider said sales have been normal. "What I'm seeing most is the stuff that people are picking up for the Labor Day weekend — barbecues, snacks, different items," Schneider said. "We've noticed things like rice and water will be the ones they pick up if something is said about a hurricane or anything like that."

Costco Waipi'o manager Mike Hayes said he noticed the same shopping trends at his store yesterday. "There's some talk (about the hurricane), but not very much ... we haven't really noticed a large degree of shopping, anything over what we projected for our Labor Day business," Hayes said.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.

• • •

Hurricane tips

Although Jimena is not a threat to the Islands yet, the American Red Cross is reminding residents to be prepared for this and any other storm. Here are a few of their tips:

Prepare an evacuation plan. Identify where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places — a friend's home in a safe area, with family, a hotel or shelter. Be sure to bring extra clothing, pillows and blankets, and other hygiene and comfort supplies.

Assemble a family disaster supply kit. Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including medication, non-perishable food, a nonelectric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per person), a battery-operated radio, flashlight with extra batteries, important documents, cash and credit cards, first-aid kit, and special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members, and pets.

Prepare for high winds. Make trees more wind-resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind.

The Hawaiian Humane Society also has tips for pet owners.

• Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters so people in low-lying and flood areas should arrange with a friend or relative to care for pets if forced to evacuate. If you have no place to bring your pet and must evacuate, place the animal in its carrier in your parked car near the emergency shelter. Leave the windows open about an inch, and when you can do it safely, check on your pet as frequently as you can.

• Be sure your pet is wearing identification.

• Have a pet carrier or leash on hand for each animal.

• Stock up on medications and food, as well as kitty litter, newspapers, plastic bags and cleansers to handle wastes.

• Have a three-day water supply for your pets and store the water in sturdy containers.

— Advertiser Staff