 On July 22 , the National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch and high @-@ surf advisory for the Island of Hawaii as the storm was anticipated to produce life @-@ threatening waves throughout the island chain . Gale warnings and small craft advisories were also issued . Hurricane Estelle was described by meteorologists as " small but dangerous " . More than 200 people evacuated from their homes near the shoreline , but others refused to leave . However , the hurricane watch was dropped on July 24 when Estelle weakened to a tropical storm . 
