Star Metro - Tropical Storm Lala lashes Hawaii with heavy rain

The governor of the US Pacific island state declared a state of emergency as the storm barrelled towards the archipelago, packing winds of 65 miles (100 kilometers) an hour.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, and a tropical storm warning held for the islands of Maui, Molokai and Kahoolawe to its northwest.

"Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected on the Big Island of Hawaii later today," the US National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory at 1500 GMT. "Tropical storm-force winds are already beginning."

The heavy rainfall "will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said rainfall of up to 25 inches could be seen on the Big Island, and a storm surge of 1-3 feet accompanied by "dangerous waves."

Rough conditions could persist into Sunday.

"It's a serious storm," Governor Josh Green said, proclaiming a state of emergency to ensure the state and its counties "have sufficient resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure, and take other measures to prepare."

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Friday his administration had spent days preparing the area for the impact of the storm, and urged residents to be ready.

"I am asking everyone to finish your preparations today," he said. "Don't wait for the weather to deteriorate."

Residents were seen filling up their vehicles with gasoline.

The state was last hit by a "major" hurricane -- meaning Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale -- in 1992, when Hurricane Iniki caused at least six deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

Hawaii was menaced by Hurricane Fausto last month, before the storm weakened and skirted north of the island chain.

- El Nino -

The storm comes as a powerful El Nino has formed in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Temperatures are already so high that NOAA now predicts a 69 percent chance of a "historic event that would exceed the strength of previous El Nino events dating back to 1950" when it peaks between October and December.

El Nino, a natural climate pattern when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, tends to promote hurricane activity in the Pacific while suppressing it in the Atlantic.

Human-caused climate change can amplify El Nino's impacts because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.

Hawaii's emergency management agency recommended residents clear gutters and drains and move valuables off the ground, seal gaps in doors and remove tree limbs that threaten their properties.

"Stay away from beaches and coastal areas where rough surf and rip currents could sweep you away," it added.

B.Cote--SMC