Hurricane Kiko weakens into a tropical storm but still could create dangerous surf in Hawaii

HONOLULU AP Hurricane Kiko has weakened into a tropical storm but still could create life-threatening surf and rip currents in Hawaii forecasters commented The storm was forecast to pass to the north of the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday as it continues to weaken The threat of direct impacts on the islands has decreased though people in Hawaii are appealed to monitor the storm s progress in event circumstances change With maximum sustained winds around mph kph Kiko was centered roughly miles kilometers northeast of Hilo Hawaii and about miles kilometers east of Honolulu The storm was traveling west-northwest at mph kph Waves were forecast to peak early Tuesday through Wednesday the National Hurricane Center explained There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect the center disclosed Source