Beauty is abundant across all 50 states in America, with the Hawaiian Islands standing out as a favored travel destination. Visitors can enjoy this paradise without leaving the country, filled with fresh fruit, talented surfers, and breathtaking views. However, in recent years, Hawaii’s residents have expressed concerns about the impact of over-tourism, highlighting their frustration over the disrespect shown by careless tourists. According to local council member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, many Native Hawaiians, who were displaced from their lands during colonization, are facing a housing crisis.
She stated, “When houses become available, they are often purchased by tourists rather than locals. These properties are being bought as investments, forcing our people to move further away and disrupting their ability to maintain local traditions and routines.” Amid these challenges, residents of Hawaii are also dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Dora, which impacted the islands in 2023, and are preparing for the possibility of another major storm, Gilma.
Hurricane Dora, which lasted from July 31 to August 22, 2023, affected all three North Pacific tropical cyclone basins. The Hawaiian Islands felt its effects due to a pressure gradient created as Dora moved south while high pressure built to the north. Some forecasters considered this rare event, which led to wind-driven wildfires that resulted in 102 fatalities on Maui, a once-in-a-generation occurrence. Despite being over 500 miles south of Honolulu, the Category 4 hurricane still influenced the weather patterns of the region.
Currently, the second storm of the 2024 East Pacific hurricane season, Hurricane Gilma, is developing. It has formed later than the average for the season, which typically sees a second storm by July 15. Experts are still trying to gather information on how severely Hawaii might be affected by this storm. Predictions indicate that Gilma will increase in intensity over the next three days while tracking west. Its development will depend on factors such as the presence of dry air and cooler water temperatures, which can diminish storm strength.
Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to conduct missions flying into the storm to collect data, as traditional monitoring techniques, like those utilized in the Atlantic, aren’t available for the Pacific. Instead, forecasts are based on satellite and other less consistent tools. Depending on Gilma’s development, it may receive a new name if it strengthens quickly, or it could be reclassified under a different naming system by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center if it transitions across certain longitude markers.
Travelers may be wondering if it is safe to visit Hawaii during hurricane season. Forecast models suggest that disturbances will likely affect the Hawaiian Islands in the coming days. While direct strikes on Hawaii are rare, tropical cyclones can cause increased waves and winds, creating less hospitable beach conditions. Travelers planning to visit Hawaii as Gilma approaches should be aware of the potential hazards posed by storms, as seen with Dora, and should always adhere to local guidelines and restrictions. It is generally advisable to avoid traveling to Hawaii during hurricane season unless absolutely necessary, but if travel is essential, ensuring proper preparation and insurance is crucial.