Weather Service monitoring 2 weakening Pacific hurricanes

HONOLULU – The National Weather Service is watching two Pacific hurricanes that could be heading near Hawaii.

Category 3 Hurricane Erick intensified as it churned across the Pacific this week, but the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu says it is weakening. Erick will move south of the Big Island Thursday and bring high surf and heavy rain to parts of the islands.

Hurricane Flossie is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday. It is about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometres) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.

The National Hurricane Centers in Miami says Flossie will likely continue to weaken but could regain some strength before nearing Hawaii at the end of the week.

There are no current severe weather watches or warnings in effect for the Hawaiian Islands.