Forecasters say Iona rapidly strengthened into a hurricane in the central Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue trekking toward the west over warm, open waters well south of Hawaii.

Hurricane Iona was expected to move westward and does not pose any land threat to the Hawaiian Islands, forecasters said.

Iona rapidly strengthened into a hurricane Monday morning in the central Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue trekking toward the west over warm, open waters well