LAX Flights Unaffected Despite Pair Of Hurricanes Headed For Hawaii

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — A Category 2 hurricane barreled down on Hawaii Thursday at speeds of over 100 mph, but travelers at Los Angeles International Airport appeared to be largely undeterred by the storm.

"We'll get wet, we'll have fun. We have books. We'll sit there and have a camp out," Traveler Larry Beltramo said.

Meteorologists with The National Hurricane Center expected Hurricane Julio to strengthen through Thursday before gradually weakening overnight and into the weekend.

Following close behind Julio is Hurricane Iselle, which is set to make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island by tonight, according to officials.

Aside from preparing for two hurricanes, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake also shook the island Thursday morning.

Iselle will be the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in 22 years.

Since 1950, only three hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii, which could see damaging swells and coastal flooding if either hurricane continues to strengthen, according to CBS News.

Tom Evans of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO some violent weather is expected.

"Damaging winds, also a very heavy rain, five to eight inches, and then high surf, 15 to 25 feet with some coastal inundation," said Evans.

KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports as of early Thursday morning, all flights in and out of LAX to Hawaii were on time and on schedule despite the storms.

At the Hawaiian Airlines ticketing counter, Sula Fido was among dozens of people waiting to go home, regardless of the weather.

"I'm not worried, because I believe and have faith in God," said Fido.

But other tourists said the hurricanes had forced them to alter their vacation plans.

"You come to Hawaii for the clear skies and the beautiful weather," said one man. "It's always a bit of a shock when you hear you're going to be sitting inside."

Aside from preparing for two hurricanes, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake also shook the Big Island Thursday morning.

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