KAILUA-KONA — Celia weakened to a tropical depression Friday as it entered the Central Pacific basin on its track toward the Hawaiian Islands.
Celia, which peaked earlier this week as a Category 2 hurricane packing 100 mph winds, was circulating 35 mph winds and located 825 east-northeast of Hilo. It was heading west at 13 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu.
Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours and Celia will likely become a post-tropical remnant low early today, forecasters said.
Celia is still expected to move north of the islands Sunday into early next week. Moisture is expected to increase over the eastern end of the state Sunday and Monday, bringing an increased chances of showers and locally heavy rainfall. A high surf advisory may also be issued for east-facing shores.
A brief return of trade wind weather is expected Wednesday before the next tropical system, Hurricane Darby, approaches from the east late next week.
Darby strengthened overnight Friday to a Category 2 hurricane packing 105 mph winds. Located 2,200 miles east-southeast of the Big Island, the cyclone was making its way across the Eastern Pacific at 9 mph mid-day Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Darby is expected to reach cooler waters this weekend, which should inhibit strengthening. Forecasters believe it may result in gradual weakening through early next week. By Wednesday, Darby’s expected to be a tropical storm with 45 mph winds located about 800 miles east of Hilo.
Behind Celia and Darby is Tropical Depression 6E located 350 miles off the coast of Mexico. On Friday, the cyclone featured 35 mph winds and was traveling west-northwest at 9 mph.
Forecasters expect the depression to strengthen in the coming days as it moves over 82 degree waters. It could be upgraded to a tropical storm by early Saturday. Thereafter, steady strengthening is expected and it’s likely 6E will be upgraded to a hurricane on Sunday.
Hawaii pot dispensaries can legally open, but none are ready
HONOLULU (AP) — Medical marijuana dispensaries can now legally open in Hawaii, but not one is ready to do so.
The state Department of Health says none of the state’s eight dispensaries has been approved to open.
One big hurdle is the state hasn’t certified a lab to test the dispensaries’ products.
Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo says the state hasn’t received any applications from interested laboratories.
Medical marijuana was legalized in Hawaii more than 15 years ago. But the state only legalized dispensaries last year.
There’s a long list of steps before dispensaries can open. They have to set up an indoor crop growing facility, get building permits and get a certificate from narcotics enforcement.
Some dispensary and lab executives say they hope to open by the end of 2016.
Urn thefts made felony to deter crime without ‘closure’
PEARL CITY, Oahu (AP) — For decades, Lisa Wond visited the above-ground gravesites of relatives in Hawaii.
But her tradition of honoring her ancestors changed when thieves stole urns holding the ashes of two grandparents, an aunt and uncle.
In response to the crime against Wond and other Hawaii families, the state Legislature made it a felony to steal an urn containing human remains.
The new law signed by the governor last week requires scrap dealers to get receipts and identification from people attempting to sell such urns.
The urns stolen from the gravesite of Wond’s relatives have been recovered, but their ashes are still missing.
Wond hopes the new law will spare other families the pain that comes with such a loss.
Kauai officials weigh ban on tobacco use while kids in car
LIHUE (AP) — Kauai County officials have approved a measure aimed at tackling secondhand smoke that would make it illegal for adults to smoke in their vehicles while minors are inside.
The Garden Island reports that a county committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend passing a bill that would implement the change.
County Council members were divided on the issue Wednesday. Those who voiced their support for the proposal praised it as a step toward “protecting our youth” and said it could spark more dialogue about the dangers of smoking.
However, council members against it said efforts to reduce smoking should focus more on education and outreach, not legal enforcement.
The proposal will go before the full County Council July 29.
State plans for affordable housing community in Honolulu
HONOLULU (AP) — The state is moving forward with plans to build a community of more than 200 affordable housing units in Honolulu as part of an effort to address Hawaii’s homelessness problem.
The modular homes were purchased by Duane Kurisu in 2011, when they were used to house thousands of people displaced by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. Kurisu is overseeing the development of the planned Kahauiki Village.
As part of the public-private partnership, the state will lease the property for a $1 a year for the next 20 years. Honolulu is covering the $4 million needed to install water and sewer lines.
Rent will cost families between $400 and $500 a month.
The project will be modeled after old plantation communities and include vegetable gardens and fruit trees.