This GOES-West GeoColor satellite image taken Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, and provided by NOAA, shows Hurricane Kiko churning over open waters in the Pacific Ocean. NOAA via AP

Working as the acting governor, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke declared a state of emergency across Hawaii on Friday due to Hurricane Kiko, which is forecast to approach the islands as a tropical storm early next week.

Hurricane Kiko regained intensity to a Category 4 as it moved on a path toward Hawaii on Friday. Kiko had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, and the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said it could strengthen more throughout the afternoon and evening hours.

The major hurricane was about 1,195 miles east-southeast of Hilo as of Friday morning, and the U.S. Coast Guard has warned that some Hawaiian Islands could experience swells causing life-threatening surf and rip currents as early as the end of the weekend.

Other impacts from Kiko are possible, but forecasters said it is too early to know exact locations or the intensity. No watches or warnings were in effect Friday afternoon, but people in Hawaii are being advised to monitor the hurricane’s progress.

Kiko previously reached Category 4 on Wednesday. After it gained strength again, a slow weakening of the hurricane was expected to begin Saturday, forecasters said.

Luke issued the emergency proclamation Friday, with the order taking effect immediately and continuing through Sept. 19, unless it’s extended or canceled earlier.

The proclamation activates emergency measures and resources to protect public health, safety and welfare from potential tropical storm-force winds, heavy rainfall and high surf associated with Hurricane Kiko.

“To ensure the safety and preparedness of our communities, the state and counties will stand ready to mobilize resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure and respond quickly to any possible damage caused by the storm,” Luke said. “We urge residents and visitors to monitor updates, follow official guidance and prepare accordingly.”

Meanwhile, several Maui County departments were also taking steps to prepare vulnerable areas in case storm conditions occur.

Maui Fire and Police departments said Friday that they are upstaffing crews.

Maui Police Department said police will be positioned to direct traffic at major roadway intersections during power outages. At smaller intersections with outages, motorists should treat traffic flow as a four-way stop.

The Department of Public Works crews completed debris removal at Kūlanihākoʻi and Waipuʻilani debris basins in preparation of hurricane season.

Ahead of Kiko, department staff have been cleaning drains and culverts throughout Maui County, including in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hana, as well as on Molokai and Lanai.

Crews also are preparing temporary stop signs to convert traffic signals into four-way stops in the event of a traffic signal outage.

Department of Parks and Recreation staff say they have facilities ready should they be needed as shelters.

MEMA urges people to be “Two Weeks Ready” by ensuring they have enough supplies to sustain every household member — including pets — for at least 14 days.

This includes one gallon of water per person per day, shelf-stable food and necessary medications. Families should prepare go-bags with three days’ worth of essential supplies for each person and pet in case of evacuation.

A go-bag should include food, water, medications, hygiene items, flashlights, important documents and other personal necessities.

MEMA recommends that people prepare for potential evacuations by downloading the Genasys Protect app and viewing live evacuation zones at https://protect.genasys.com/search.

Sign up for MEMA Alerts by texting Mauialerts to 38276.

Follow MEMA , County of Maui, MFD and MPD on social media for up-to-date information.

For more MEMA information on hurricane preparedness, alerts and warnings, and other emergency resources, visit https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA or call (808) 270-7285.

On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard was also urging residents and mariners to take precautions, heed weather warnings and stay safe. In preparation for any adverse weather conditions, mariners, beachgoers and community members are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Store boats and personal watercraft in a secure location

• Secure all paddlecraft so they do not end up in the water and cause false distress alerts

• Remove all emergency position indicating radio beacons, life rings, life jackets and loose items from vessels while not in use

• Contact local marinas and ask for advice on securing a vessel

• If a boat is too large to be removed from the water, move it to a safe location well before the storm approaches

• Stay off the water due to potentially hazardous conditions

• Continuously monitor the weather and heed all warnings and broadcasts

• Stay off rocks and jetties because waves can be unpredictable

• People in distress should use 911 to request assistance whenever possible, and social media should not be used to report life-threatening distress

• If you are in an evacuation or flood zone, follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work with federal, state and local agencies and partners.

• Mariners should monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 22A for Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Updated port conditions for tropical storms and hurricanes can be found at the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center. Port status updates are no longer published on U.S. Coast Guard Homeport.

For additional information on current and upcoming weather conditions, visit the NWS Forecast Office Honolulu and the National Hurricane Center and Pacific Hurricane Center.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.