Hurricane Lowell weakens slightly to powerful Category 4, Hawaiian Islands urged to monitor progress

Hurricane Lowell has weakened slightly to a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, continuing a westward motion. The storm is expected to pass west of Kauaʻi County as a major hurricane, bringing surf up to 14 feet along eastern exposures and heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum totals exceeding 10 inches, for Kauaʻi County and the Big Island. Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should closely monitor its progress.