A hurricane warning remains in effect this morning for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa island to French Frigate Shoals as a slowly weakening Hurricane Neki approaches.

In its 11 a.m. report, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Neki's maximum sustained winds of about 105 mph put the storm in Category 2 status.

The hurricane center says hurricane conditions are expected tonight across the islands within the marine monument.

Forecasters said 8 to 12 inches of rain can be expected, preceded by south swells of 20 to 25 feet.

As of 11 this morning, Neki was about 545 miles west of Honolulu and about 215 miles south of French Frigate Shoals. The storm was moving north-northwest at about 9 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for Hawaiian offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles.

The hurricane center said it expects Neki to gradually shift its track to the northeast and continue to weaken.

To view a satellite video loop of Neki, go to:

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/cpac/loop-vis.html

For Central Pacific Hurricane Center updates on the storm, go to:

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/tcpages/NEKI.php