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Posted: Friday, January 16th, 2009 6:07 AM HST

Islands brace for windy weather

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii has battened down the hatches in anticipation of damaging winds forecast at 60 miles an hour or more today. Most state employees on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai are being allowed to stay home, while Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann granted administrative leave to most city workers. Non-essential Maui County employees were also told not to report to work. Essential workers must report for duty. Except for those located on the Big Island, all public schools will be closed today, along with all University of Hawaii campuses on Kauai, Oahu and Maui. Many private schools -- including Kamehameha, Saint Louis, Sacred Hearts, Maryknoll and Damien -- will also be closed. Homeless beach dwellers on Oahu were advised to leave their campsites, which could be battered by high waves as well as high winds. Officials reported 75 people had sought refuge at shelters by late yesterday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Oahu, Molokai and Kauai, and the mountain summits on Maui and the Big Island as the forecast predicted winds of at least 40 miles per hour. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)