While the cyclone pushed west into more remote waters, state and federal officials turned their attention to both immediate recovery efforts and the looming threat of early wet-season rains. The storm’s passage coincided with significant environmental shifts, including the recent collapse of the historic Holei Sea Arch on the Big Island.
The Collapse of the Holei Sea Arch
During Nolo’s destructive sweep past the main islands, the famous 90-foot Holei Sea Arch collapsed into the Pacific Ocean sometime between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, according to the CBS News report citing the National Park Service. The natural rock formation, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, had stood for approximately 550 years before yielding to coastal erosion and storm conditions.
The National Park Service noted that while the collapse was not entirely unexpected given the structure’s limited lifespan, it highlights the rapid transformation of the park’s rugged coastline. Officials reiterated warnings for visitors to stay clear of the unstable area, noting that social media posts showed tourists entering closed zones and putting themselves at risk of falling or drowning.
The federal response to the broader hurricane impact has also accelerated. According to CBS News, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green confirmed that the federal administration approved an emergency declaration to supply resources for state recovery following Nolo. The state is still dealing with cumulative impacts following Hurricane Lala, which struck in August and washed away roughly 100 homes.
Tracking Nolo and Preparing for New Rains
As of Sunday evening, Nolo was centered roughly 200 miles south-southwest of Lisianski Island and 320 miles west-southwest of Maro Reef, moving west at 20 mph. Forecasters at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser expect the storm to cross the International Date Line by midday Sunday.
Despite Nolo’s departure, the National Weather Service warned that a separate, early wet-season system is developing to the south and is expected to draw deep tropical moisture northward by Wednesday. Periods of heavy rain could trigger flash flooding across Kauai and Oahu starting Wednesday night and lasting through the end of the week, according to Honolulu Star-Advertiser.