YEAR IN REVIEW: 2018 hurricane season was most destructive in years

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii’s 2018 hurricane season was among the most destructive in years.

That’s even though a hurricane never actually made landfall in the islands.

There were a number of close calls, though, and a double landfall by a tropical storm.

In all, the Central Pacific saw six named tropical cyclones over the season.

They were all hurricanes — one each of a Category 1 through 4 and two Category 5 strength (Hurricanes Lane and Walaka).

The Eastern Pacific, meanwhile, saw 25 tropical cyclones — a near record-breaking year.

Robert Ballard, science and operations officer at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, said the 2018 season underscores the mantra emergency officials have been saying all year: Just because a hurricane doesn’t make a direct hit, doesn’t mean it can’t cause major damage.

Hurricanes and tropical storms this year caused widespread flooding on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai, and strong winds from a hurricane were blamed on fanning a destructive blaze.

“The islands are in a zone that just gets threatened by hurricanes,” Ballard said. “As we say every year, it only takes one. We encourage people to get prepared and remain prepared."

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