For Immediate Release: September 9, 2018 HTA Release (18-55)

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for O‘ahu, County and Island of Hawai‘i in Response to Olivia

HONOLULU – Today, at 5:00 p.m. HST, the issued a tropical storm watch for O‘ahu, Maui County and the island of Hawai‘i in response to , meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Presently a category 1 hurricane, Olivia is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm as it moves closer to the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days. Olivia has been steadily weakening since the storm briefly peaked as a Category 4 hurricane in the Eastern Pacific on September 7.

As of 5:00 p.m. HST, the center of Olivia was approximately 595 miles east-northeast of Hilo on the island of Hawai‘i and 760 miles east of . Olivia has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour and is moving west at 12 miles per hour. The onset of Olivia’s weather impacts are currently forecast to begin affecting Hawai‘i late Tuesday, September 11.

Weather impacts from Olivia are projected to initially affect northeast and east shores throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This could include very strong winds, high surf conditions and storm surge along shorelines, and heavy rainfall with the potential for flooding.

HTA strongly advises residents and visitors to be prepared for Olivia. This includes having access to an adequate supply of food, water, medications and essential goods. Everyone is strongly encouraged to follow the instructions of Hawai‘i’s civil defense officials and to not take any risks that would put them in danger from Olivia while the storm is completing its pass of the Hawaiian Islands.

For visitors currently in Hawai‘i or with confirmed trips to anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands in the coming weeks, HTA advises them to stay informed about Olivia and to contact their airlines, accommodations and activity providers to see if adjustments to travel plans are needed.

HTA has a special Alert page about Olivia on its website and is posting updates as new information becomes available. Also included on the Alert page are links to resources with helpful information to keep residents and visitors updated about Olivia and how to be prepared.

HTA’s Alert page for Olivia can be accessed from its home page or by clicking on the link below.

https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/

Following are links to information resources about Olivia, being prepared for its onset, and coping with weather impacts.

Weather Information Up-to-date online information on the trek of Olivia is available at the following: National Weather Service Forecast: www.weather.gov/hawaii Central Pacific Hurricane Center: www.weather.gov/cphc Hurricane Preparedness: www.facebook.com/PrepareNOWHI/

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for O‘ahu, Maui County and Island of Hawai‘i in Response to Olivia Page 2

County Alerts Up-to-date information about Olivia as it pertains to Hawai‘i’s four island counties is available at the following websites: County of Hawai‘i: https://bit.ly/1wymub3 County of Honolulu: https://bit.ly/2MV0pFa County of Kaua‘i: https://bit.ly/2NXDmWZ County of Maui: https://bit.ly/2NnELZT

Media Updates Hawai‘i’s news media does an excellent job providing reliable, accurate and timely information about severe weather in Hawai‘i. Visit the following Hawai‘i media outlets for updated information about Olivia: Honolulu Star-Advertiser: www.staradvertiser.com Hawai‘i News Now: www.hawaiinewsnow.com KHON: www.khon2.com KITV: www.kitv.com

Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai‘i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is responsible for strategically managing the State of Hawai‘i’s marketing initiatives to support tourism. HTA’s goal is to optimize tourism’s benefits for Hawai‘i, while being attentive to the interests of travelers, the community and visitor industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawai‘i’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure the sustainability of tourism’s success.

For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel.

Media Contacts: Charlene Chan Patrick Dugan Director of Communications Senior Vice President Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Anthology Marketing Group 808-973-2272 (o) 808-539-3411 (o) 808-781-7733 (m) 808-741-2712 (m) [email protected] [email protected]