Hawaii hit by winds, rain as hurricane veers west

Hurricane Ana was on course Saturday to miss Hawaii while generating strong winds and heavy rains that prompted flash-flood warnings and lured surfers with high waves. The center of the powerful Pacific storm was about 200 km southwest of Honolulu, and it was losing speed as it churned southwest of the islands, the National Weather Service said.

So far it’s looking pretty good for Hawaii Island.

Darryl Oliveira, director of Hawaii County civil defense

On Oahu, tourists and surfers at popular Waikiki Beach enjoyed ample waves created by the storm in the early afternoon that later gave way to choppy water. Rain fell early in the day on the island’s North Shore and Koolau Mountains, and slickened the island’s southeast shores. Waves were expected to crest to 16 to 32 km on the south shores of the islands and remain high through Sunday.

Every time we have a hurricane we know it’s going to be good.

Emile Meder, surfer

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