Maps show Hurricane Kiko's path and forecast as it moves west toward Hawaii

Hurricane Kiko, a Category 4 storm, is swirling in the Pacific Ocean and heading west in a direction toward Hawaii.

As of early Thursday morning, the storm was located some 1,500 miles east-southwest of Hilo and about 1,700 miles from Honolulu. Its maximum sustained winds were topping 140 mph.

"Kiko is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue through Thursday night," the National Hurricane Center said in an early morning advisory . "A turn toward the west-northwest is expected on Friday, with a gradual increase in forward speed expected over the weekend as Kiko approaches the Hawaiian Islands from the east."

"Little change in strength is forecast during the next day or so, followed by gradual weakening Friday through the weekend,"