Hurricane Olivia is now Tropical Storm Olivia

Olivia weakened to a tropical storm Monday afternoon as the cyclone continues to move toward the Hawaiian Islands.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, the center of Olivia was located 415 miles east-northeast of Hilo and tracking west at 9 mph. It was circulating 70 mph winds with higher gusts.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties. The warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A high surf advisory is also in effect for east-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands through 6 p.m. Wednesday. Wave heights of 5 to 8 feet are forecast Monday. Surf is expected to build 10 to 14 feet Tuesday and then rise to 12 to 20 feet Tuesday night.

The storm’s expected to continue tracking west to west-southwest and gradually weaken over the next few days. On the current forecast track, the center of Olivia will be moving over the state as a strong tropical storm Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Damaging tropical storm-force winds may begin as early as Tuesday afternoon across Maui and the Big Island. Hurricane-force wind gusts are possible as Olivia moves across the state Tuesday night and Wednesday.

The chance for flooding rainfall will increase rapidly late Tuesday and will remain a significant threat through at least Wednesday. Preliminary storm total rainfall amounts are in the 10- to 15-inch range, with isolated areas receiving up to 20 inches. Windward areas are forecast to see the most rainfall.

Also Monday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced the closure at noon Tuesday of all Division of Forestry and Wildlife lands on the Big Island and in Maui County. Those lands include all forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Na Ala Hele trails.

The department will also close all state parks in East Hawaii at noon Tuesday. Closure of west-side parks will be evaluated as the storm approaches.

The closures remain in effect until further notice pending impact assessments.

All state small boat harbors, operated by the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, will remain open during the storm.

Behind Olivia in the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Paul is expected to continue weakening Monday, and forecasters expect to downgrade the storm to a tropical depression Monday night.

The storm had 40 mph winds as it churned northwest at 10 mph some 2,185 miles east of the Big Island. By Thursday, Paul’s expected to be a remnant low packing 30 mph winds far east of the Hawaiian Islands.