HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hurricane Kiko is holding steady in strength as the Category 4 system nears the central Pacific.
The National Hurricane Center said in data valid at 11 p.m. Friday, Kiko’s maximum sustained winds remained at nearly 140 mph with higher gusts.
Only minor fluctuations are expected in strength through Saturday. Kiko should begin to gradually weaken by Sunday.
Kiko is a relatively small tropical cyclone. Hurricane force winds extend 25 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend 80 miles.
Kiko was located about 1,065 miles east-southeast of Hilo, or 1,265 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, and was moving to the west-northwest at 10 miles per hour.
The forecast track has gradually been moving northward, and the latest forecast shows the center of Kiko passing to the north of the islands as a tropical storm.
Impacts from rain and wind remain a possibility, but it is too soon to determine the exact location or magnitude of these impacts.
Swells generated by Kiko are expected to begin reaching the Big Island and Maui by Sunday. These swells will gradually build and are forecast to peak along east facing exposures of the Hawaiian Islands late Monday through midweek, potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Kiko is expected to be in thee central Pacific basin Saturday. late Friday or early Saturday. The official forecast track has been nudged a little to the right from the previous forecast.
Historically, cyclones approaching the Big Island from the east can slow and deflect northward as the island terrain disrupts the low-level flow and alters the steering currents.
There is still uncertainty over the forecast track, but you should use this time to prepare and make sure that your hurricane supplies and preparations are in order to keep you and your ohana safe.
Your First Alert Weather Team will continue to closely watch this system over the next several days.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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