Tropical Storm Lana is strengthening and expected to become the first hurricane in the Central Pacific this hurricane season, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

But the cyclone is expected to pass far south of the islands.

“;We won't see any increase in wind, rain or surf,”; said Jim Weyman, director of the Hurricane Center.

With sustained winds of 60 mph and higher gusts, Lana is the first named storm in the Central Pacific this year.

It started yesterday as Tropical Depression 6-E but quickly strengthened over warm waters.

Weyman said Lana could become a category 1 hurricane with 74 mph winds this morning and remain a hurricane for 24 hours before weakening into a tropical storm.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Lana was about 925 miles southeast of Hilo and was expected to pass below Hawaii over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory yesterday for south-facing shores on all islands from 6 a.m. today to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Swells generated last week by storms east of New Zealand are arriving today.