Felicia weakens to tropical storm near Hawaii

Hawaii braced for Tropical Storm Felicia on Sunday, taking no chances even though the storm weakened rapidly as it slipped toward the islands.

Felicia was downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) with higher gusts. It's expected to weaken even more before hitting Hawaii late Monday, when it is expected be either a tropical storm or depression.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the storm's center was about 525 miles (850 kilometers) east of Hilo and 695 miles (1,120 kilometers) east of Honolulu late Sunday morning.

"Right now, the official track is right through the middle of the state," said …