More than 20,000 customers were left without power on Hawaii's Big Island after Hurricane Hone passed within 60 miles of the island on Sunday morning. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, resulting in power outages and snapped trees. However, despite the impact, there were no reported injuries or major damages on the island.

The Mayor of Hawaii County, Mitch Roth, reassured residents that no significant damage occurred from the storm. Although nearly 18 inches of rain fell around the volcanoes in the southern part of the island, the flooding and winds were not as severe as anticipated. Chief Todd, the fire chief for Hawaii County, mentioned that being on an island in the Pacific allowed water to drain quickly into the ocean, minimizing the risk of significant flooding.

Forecasters had initially predicted that Hurricane Hone could still bring up to 20 inches of rain to various areas. As the storm moved, it slowed down and pushed moisture over all the islands, increasing the potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. However, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center later forecasted that wind and rainfall would gradually diminish by Sunday evening.

While some beach parks were closed due to life-threatening surf and rip currents, most residents remained calm. In Kapaau, a local baseball league for older residents still held their banquet, opting to set up wind screens to shield themselves from the gusts. Kumiko Mattison, who runs a wetland restoration nonprofit with her husband, drove to Keaukaha and observed swollen bodies of water but found no apparent damage.

In Nanawale Estates, resident Sean O'Phelan hoped that the rain and wind would not uproot the trees surrounding his small cabin. Despite concerns, O'Phelan and other residents in the area were accustomed to helping one another during disasters and expressed confidence in their ability to support and keep each other safe.

Hawaii Electric, the state's main electricity utility, had initially considered a possible power shutdown in high wildfire risk areas due to strong winds. However, the cancellation of the red-flag wildfire warning meant that such actions were no longer necessary.

As residents of the Big Island braced for the potential impact of Hurricane Gilma, forecasted to weaken before reaching the state, meteorologists remained hopeful that the rainfall from the storm would be spread over a longer period, avoiding a quick burst of heavy rain.

Despite the power outages and isolated incidents, the Big Island of Hawaii managed to weather Hurricane Hone without any major destruction. The community's preparedness and the island's geographical advantages played a significant role in mitigating the potential impact of the storm.