UPDATED 2:33 p.m.

The state Department of Education announced this afternoon that based on current weather conditions and forecasts, all DOE public schools on Hawaii Island will maintain normal school-day operations on Friday.

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In-person instruction will continue as scheduled. School principals may cancel select after-school activities on Friday afternoon.

DOE offices on Hawaii Island will maintain normal business hours.

From 5:30 p.m. Friday, all Hawaii Island public school campuses and offices will close through Sunday. All previously scheduled school-related events and activities during the closure period will be canceled or postponed.

Emergency management officials have advised that decisions regarding potential school closures on other islands be made as conditions and forecasts become clearer.

Hawaii Island public schools and offices are expected to resume normal school-day operations on Monday.

UPDATED 12:14 p.m.

Tropical Storm Lala has strengthened a little as Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters predict the storm will become a hurricane as it nears Hawaii Island, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall and high surf to the islands.

At 11 a.m., Lala was located about 655 miles east-southeast of Hilo and about 870 miles east-southeast of Honolulu.

Lala was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as it moves west-northwest at 9 mph. A faster west-northwestward motion is predicted over the next several days.

Lala is forecast to be near or just south of Hawaii Island on Saturday and pass south of the rest of the islands over the weekend. Hurricane conditions are possible on Hawaii Island by early Saturday.

“Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater,” according to the forecast.

Gov. Josh Green today signed an emergency proclamation declaring a state of emergency for Hawaii ahead of the storm.

The proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund, authorizes the activation of the Hawaii National Guard, if needed, and directs state agencies to provide personnel, facilities and other resources for emergency response efforts.

It also enables expedited action to clear debris, secure critical infrastructure and prepare for, respond to and recover from potential storm impacts.

“Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaii Island — and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed,” Green said in a statement. “Our state and county emergency teams are coordinating closely with federal partners. I urge everyone to secure their homes, gather essential supplies, review their family emergency plans and follow updates from trusted official sources. Please take this storm seriously and look out for one another.”

Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across Hawaii Island and Maui are expected, with possible maximum rainfall totals of 25 inches across the Big Isle.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches and possible maximum rainfall of 8 inches are expected across the islands.

Forecasters said the rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides especially in steep terrain areas.

Lala is expected to generated large swells and dangerous surf across the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and growing larger into the weekend.

“This prolonged period of heavy surf may cause localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion,” according to the forecast.

Dangerous storm surge and tides will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded, according to forecasters. Water could reach 1 to 3 feet high if peak surge happens at the time of high tide.

“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” according to the forecast. “Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.”

A hurricane watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center.

UPDATE: 8 a.m.

Tropical Storm Lala maintained its strength this morning as it moved toward Hawaii, with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center warning that the storm could approach hurricane strength near Hawaii island this weekend.

At 8 a.m., Lala was about 680 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 890 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and higher gusts. The storm was moving west-northwest at about 10 mph.

A hurricane watch is now in effect for Hawaii island, meaning hurricane conditions are possible there within 48 hours. Lala is expected to pass near or just south of Hawaii island on Saturday before moving south of the smaller islands during the remainder of the weekend.

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Forecasters said steady strengthening is expected and Lala could be near hurricane strength as it approaches Hawaii island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles from the center.

The hurricane center warned that hurricane conditions are possible on Hawaii island by early Saturday. Winds atop and on the windward sides of mountains and hills can be significantly stronger than winds measured near the surface.

The storm is also expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain across much Hawaii, with isolated maximum totals of 20 inches possible. The rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain.

Lala also could produce a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above ground along the Big Island coast if the peak surge coincides with high tide. Large, dangerous waves could accompany the surge.

Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach east-facing shores Friday and spread westward while building through the weekend, creating life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.

The storm’s forecast track continues to place only Hawaii island within the five-day forecast cone, with Lala expected to pass south of the smaller islands.

An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft was scheduled to investigate Lala this morning, which could provide forecasters with additional information about the storm’s strength and structure.

The National Weather Service has also warned of increasing wildfire concerns Friday as winds strengthen ahead of Lala while a dry, stable air mass with lower humidity moves over the islands.

PREVIOUSLY

Tropical Storm Lala formed this morning about 700 miles east-southeast of Hilo and a hurricane watch has been issued for Hawaii Island.

Lala had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts and was moving west at 10 mph at about 5 a.m., according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A west to northwestward motion is expected during the next several days, bringing Lala near or just south of the Big Island Saturday. “Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Big Island,” forecasters said.

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area within 48 hours. Residents in the area are urged to finalize emergency preparations immediately.

The National Weather Service has also issued a tropical storm warning through the weekend for the waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands, from 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles and including the portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals. NWS expects winds up to 25 knots and seas rising to 11 feet tonight, peaking at 12 to 20 feet on Saturday.

Lala is expected to pass south of the smaller islands over the weekend.

Tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend up to 140 miles from Lala’s center. At 5 a.m., it was 705 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 915 miles east-southeast of Honolulu.

The hurricane center said hazards from the storm include:

— Wind: Hurricane conditions are possible on the Big Island by early Saturday. “Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.”

— Rain: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across much of the island chain, with maximum totals of 20 inches possible. The rain may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

— Storm surge: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach 1 to 3 feet above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide. “The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.”

— Waves: Swells generated by Lala should reach east shores of the state Friday, spreading west and building through the weekend. “These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

As the storm approaches, another concern is the risk of increased conditions conducive to wildfires, according to the National Weather Service. “Fire weather concerns will increase on Friday ahead of any potential tropical cyclone’s arrival,” officials said. “Winds will begin to strengthen while a dry and stable air mass with low relative humidity moves overhead. This combination of lower relative humidity and increasing wind speeds will likely lead to high wildfire risk.”

The latest five-day forecast map for Lala only includes Hawaii Island in the so-called cone of uncertainty. All other islands are outside the cone as the storm is expected to pass south of the smaller islands.

By Friday evening as it nears the south of Hawaii Island, Lala is forecast to have 60 mph maximum sustained winds, which will grow to 70 mph by Saturday, just under the Category 1 hurricane threshold of 74 mph.

If Lala hits the Big Island directly, it will be the first direct strike of a tropical cyclone for the island since Tropical Storm Iselle in 2014, which caused widespread wind damage.

The hurricane watch for Hawaii island lists possible threats to life and property from the storm including hurricane force wind gusts of 75 mph in some areas, such as Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, life-threatening flooding, and possible tornadoes.

A high suf advisory for south shores of all islands is in effect until 6 a.m. Friday with large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet expected, according to the National Weather Service.

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