Return flights from Honolulu to Hilo canceled due to Tropical Storm Hone

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – All remaining roundtrip flights between Honolulu and Hilo have been canceled Saturday due to Tropical Storm Hone, the state Department of Transportation announced.

According to the DOT, the Hilo International Airport terminal is open, but no flights are departing from Hilo for the remainder of the day.

Officials said the weather is deteriorating faster than previously expected and they will reassess morning flights for Sunday.

“The captain had announced that the winds were stronger than expected and that it was not safe for us to fly,” said Moani Van-Alst Wright, one of the affected passengers.

“I’m personally considering flying to Kona at this point and driving over it, but safety comes first, of course.”

More information about flights to Hilo can be found here.

Southwest Airlines officials said they are offering customers flexibility to rebook tickets with a travel advisory in effect from August 24-25 in the following locations: Hilo (ITO), Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH)

They said they will continue to monitor weather conditions and encourage customers to check their flight status through the Southwest app or online for any schedule changes.

Meanwhile, locals and visitors to a Hilo hotel received a letter warning them of the approaching storm and what to expect.

“We’ve been preparing for the last four, five days. We’re testing generators. We’re checking batteries,” said Matt Pickett of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the island of Hawaii as Tropical Storm Hone continues to move westward, bringing potential flooding, rainfall, damaging winds and large waves this weekend.

This story is ongoing. Check back for updates.