“Confidence remains high that Iona will stay well south of the Hawaiian Islands,” forecasters report. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. There are no other coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Hurricane Iona was expected to move westward and does not pose any land threat to the Hawaiian Islands, forecasters said.

Andrew Austin-Adler, a student meteorologist specializing in tropical cyclones, said on X: "Strongest CPAC hurricane since WALAKA is inbound. Iona is on the fast track to reaching major hurricane strength - official forecast is 120mph which could be conservative."