HILO, Hawai'i — Hurricane Flossie was downgraded to a tropical storm late last night, losing much of its bluster as it passed by South Point.

The National Weather Service canceled the hurricane watch at 11 p.m. but a tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Big Island.

Officials said a large pocket of moisture remained stalled just east of the Big Island.

"It still has very large potential to come in," said Troy Kindred, administrator for the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency. "For whatever reason it has not done so so far. We'll monitor it until it is not a threat."

Today, Big Island schools, libraries, parks and businesses will be shuttered again.

No injuries, damage or road closures had been reported to Hawai'i County Civil Defense officials by late last night, even though Flossie arrived with gusty winds, high surf and some rain for the southern shores of the Big Island.

At 10:45 p.m., Hilo was experiencing intermittent heavy showers but almost no wind.

Gov. Linda Lingle postponed a visit today to the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, and a visit tomorrow to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority in Kailua, Kona.

"Nondisaster response workers" from the state were told to stay home today for the second consecutive day.

At 11 p.m., the National Weather Service reported that Tropical Storm Flossie was about 175 miles south-southwest of Hilo and 280 miles south-southeast of Honolulu.

It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph with higher gusts, but was expected to continue to weaken. The storm was moving west-northwest at 10 mph.

Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 90 miles from the storm's center.

Flossie entered Hawaiian waters as a Category 4 hurricane, but by yesterday evening had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane.

Earlier yesterday, Flossie's speed dropped to 8 mph and the storm took a slightly more northern route that concerned weather forecasters and county, state and federal officials, who feared its course change would deliver a more direct punch to the Big Island.

SLIGHT TURN TO NORTH

National Weather Service meteorologist Ian Morrison said the storm wobbled slightly to the north yesterday, then wobbled in a direct westerly direction.

Its changing course gave officials another worry beyond their concerns for the southern parts of the island: That Flossie would deliver too much rain to the dry North and South Kona areas.

"We take this hurricane very seriously," Kindred said. "We ask people to be informed. We ask people to be prepared."

The first bands of Hurricane Flossie started hitting the Big Island about 5 p.m., packing gusts of 40 mph at South Point and sending 20-foot waves crashing into cliffs and sea walls.

Near Na'alehu, a crowd of residents and tourists pulled alongside the road to marvel at the waves.

"It's incredible," said Elizabeth Stabo, who braced herself against the winds as she stood on the side of the road with her kids and neighbors.

Jonathan and Kim Krieckhaus, of Missouri, giggled as they said the hurricane would be a good story to tell when they get back home.

"We would like to take a dip, but we're not allowed to," Jonathan Krieckhaus said while laughing.

Gene Ortiz watched his boys, 6 and 7, ogle happily at the whitecaps, which grew in size as a gray sheet of rain moved in. "The ocean is just so powerful. It's incredibly high," he said.

HEADING FOR SAFETY

More than 150 people voluntarily evacuated yesterday to Red Cross hurricane shelters.

About 40 people, including Anna George, hunkered down at Waiakea High School.

"I live right by the beach and I wanted to go someplace where it's safe," said George, who lives in an apartment building on Onekahakaha Beach.

Winne Hisaiah of Glenwood said her family came to the Waiakea High School shelter because they were afraid their home would blow away in the storm.

"It's not structurally sound," she said.

Janet Snyder, spokeswoman for Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, said hotels have warned their guests to stay inside today and stay away from the water. She said the hotels are prepared to shelter tourists in ballrooms or other common areas if necessary.

On the recommendation of Civil Defense officials, the state Department of Education again decided to close all 42 regular public schools, all 12 public charter schools and the Community School for Adults in Hilo and Kona. The closures affect about 26,000 students.

Kamehameha Schools also canceled classes and activities at its Hawai'i Island campus.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com and Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.