In Hawaii, people hurry to buy supplies as hurricane nears

Lane’s winds slow; still a major storm

HONOLULU — Hurricane Lane has weakened as it approaches Hawaii, but was still expected to pack a wallop, forecasters said Wednesday, as people hurried to buy water and other supplies and the Navy movedits ships to safety.

The National Weather Service said tropicalstorm-force winds could begin as early as Wednesday afternoon on the Big Island.

“We’re planning on boardingup all our windows and sliding doors,” Napua Puaoi of Wailuku, Maui, said after buying 16 pieces of plywood from Home Depot. “As soon as my husband comeshome — he has all the powertools.”

The hurricane was less than 300 miles south of Kailua-Kona and moving northwest toward other islands.

Meteorologist Chevy Chevalier in Honolulu said Lane’s winds had slowed overnight from 160 mph to 155 mph, prompting a downgrade from a Category 5 to a Category 4 hurricane.

He said it might drop to a Category 3 by Thursday afternoon, but that would still be a major hurricane.

“We expect it to gradually weaken as it gets closer to the islands,” Mr. Chevalier said. “That being said, on our current forecast, as of the afternoon on Thursday, we still have it as a major hurricane.”

With winds anticipated to near 130 mph, the hurricane could cause catastrophic damage.

“If you’re in the path of #HurricaneLane, get ready now and make sure your family and neighbors do as well,” tweeted the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday.

Tourists and residents were closely following the hurricane’s path and the latest forecasts, with some visitors rushing to airports Wednesday to try to book flights to leave before the worst of the storm was expected to arrive.

Residents rushed to stores to stock up on bottled water, ramen noodles, toilet paper and other supplies as they faced the threat of heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf.

Public schools on the Big Island and in Maui County closed Wednesday until further notice.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige said employees on Hawaii and Maui islands who work in disaster response as well as in hospitals and prisons were required to report to their jobs.

Ms. Puaoi said Home Depot opened at 6 a.m., and employees reported there was already a line around the building.

“We are fully stocked,” she said. “We have about nine cases of water because we’re having family stay with us as well, so one case per person.”

The U.S. Navy was moving its ships and submarines out of Hawaii. All vessels not currently undergoing maintenance were being positioned to help respond after the storm, if needed.

Navy aircraft will be kept in hangars or flown to other airfields to avoid the storm.