HONOLULU, United States (AFP) — A strengthening tropical storm named Lala is set to hit Hawaii’s Big Island with hurricane force gales on Saturday, bringing dangerous winds, rainfall and heavy surf.

The governor of the United States (US) Pacific island state declared a state of emergency as the storm barrelled towards the archipelago, packing winds that could gust up to 85 miles (137 kilometers) an hour.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, and a tropical storm warning held for the islands of Maui, Molokai and Kahoolawe to its northwest. Lower grade tropical storm watches were in place for other islands.