 Shortly after attaining hurricane intensity , an eye began to appear on weather satellite imagery . Based on this , the EPHC re @-@ assessed the intensity of the system at 85 mph ( 135 km / h ) . Continuing to intensity , Hurricane Estelle became the first major hurricane of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season on 0000 UTC July 18 . As its motion accelerated , Estelle peaked intensity at 135 mph ( 215 km / h ) . Moving west , Hurricane Estelle emerged into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center 's area of responsibility while still a major hurricane . Shortly thereafter , Estelle 's forward motion increased to close to 25 mph ( 40 km / h ) . As such , forecasters noted the path of a potential landfall on the Big Island . Due to a shearing environment from a trough , Estelle weakened as it continued to approach Hawaii . A possible re @-@ curve towards the island never materialized , and the hurricane veered to west and passed south of the islands . Estelle weakened to a tropical storm on July 23 while passing south of Hawaii , and two days later it weakened to a depression . The tropical cyclone dissipated on July 27 . 
