Trop. Storm Erick on Path for Hawaii

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A strengthening Tropical Storm Erick is moving westward across the eastern Pacific and is expected to become a hurricane Monday as it follows a path likely to take it just south of the Hawaiian Islands at week's end.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm was about 1,560 miles (2,515 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, late Sunday afternoon. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving toward the west at 16 mph (26 kph).

The center said Erick could grow into a major hurricane Tuesday but is expected to begin losing strength Wednesday and gradually weaken into a tropical storm before nearing Hawaii.

(KR)