I live on Oahu so I am following this storm pretty closely and it slowed right when it reach the big island. Looks like they are going to get a ton of rain, also looks like it is turning towards the northwest which would take it towards the other islands...
While this storm is not that powerful wind wise, one thing to remember is hurricanes usually hit a coastal plain, there is no coastal plain on Hawaii, the rain and wind is heading straight up a pair 13k foot volcanos which intensifies the rainfall (and flash flood potential).
To emphasize the rarity of this, this is the 1st time a tropical cyclone (Iniki in 1992 came from the south and only really hit Kauai) has made direct landfall on the big island, no one there has any idea what could happen.
Seriously hoping I don't lose power for a long time, but at least I live in an elevated area (about 500 feet above sea level) and on a bluff(not in a flash flood hazard area) so I dont feel it will be to bad for me, but a mile from where I live there are hundreds of homes essentially built in ravines, if we get 6-12 inches of rain it could get really ugly.
End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)
Wii- 72 million 3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases
360- 37 million Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak
PS3- 29 million Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut
