Hurricane Lane is affecting air traffic at Hawaiian Islands

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Lane, centered about 235 miles south-southwest of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Lane will pass dangerously close to the main Hawaiian Islands as a hurricane Thursday and Friday, and is expected to bring damaging winds. These winds can be accelerated over and downslope from elevated terrain, and will be higher in high rise buildings.

The slow movement of Lane also greatly increases the threat for prolonged heavy rainfall and extreme rainfall totals. This is expected to lead to life-threatening flash flooding and landslides over all Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Airlines asks passengers calling their reservations line to be patient, as the airline has a high volume of calls resulting in long wait times. “While the path of Hurricane Lane remains uncertain, it’s likely that it will impact our flight schedule as it passes the Islands,” the airline said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said airlines may cancel flights in the direct path of the storm, passengers are advised to check flight status with their airline.