The strongest of these Central and Eastern Pacific hurricanes is Lowell, which peaked twice as a Category 5 storm over the Labor Day weekend and was expected to pass just west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night, forcing a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for Kauai County and a tropical storm watch for Oahu (see below).

Officials in Hawaii urged residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rains, flooding and possibly mudslides as Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm, prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for two islands on Sunday.

The islands have already been battered by Hurricane Lala.

Tropical Storm Moke is passing to the south of Hawaii's Big Island on Sunday, close enough to dump a foot or more of rain on communities dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala.

AN URGENT hurricane warning has gone into effect in Hawaii as residents scramble for supplies ahead of a powerful storm bearing down on the islands. Shelves have been stripped of emergency gear

It is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when making its closest approach to the islands Monday.