Hawaiians have stocked up on groceries and bought extra batteries and flashlights, as they prepare for a double whammy of sorts, a one-two cyclone punch, starting with Hurricane Iselle that may hit the Big Island Thursday night with 80 mph winds, and Hurricane Julio trailing behind.

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As if these were not enough, a magnitude 4.5 quake rattled parts of the Big Island early Thursday, causing no significant damage. The quake hit at 6:24 a.m. HST, striking seven miles northwest of Waimea and about 159 miles southeast of Honlulu, as people were just waking up and getting ready for work. The USGS reported the quake reached a depth of eight miles and was not strong enough to merit a tsunami warning. 

Authorities issued a hurricane warning for Iselle for the easternmost populated island of Hawaii, while the other islands - Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe - and bracing for tropical storm conditions, with winds of under 73 mph.

The U.S. Coast Guard has also raised warning for maritime activities.

"All ocean going commercial vessels and ocean going barges greater than 200 gross tons are expected to make preparations to leave the ports," said the Coast Guard in a statement. Ships that wish to remain in port are required to file a safe mooring plan.

Government offices and schools have closed, while most commercial attractions have boarded their windows since Wednesday night as the Category 1 hurricane threatens to dump 12 inches of rain and cause storm surges on coastal areas.

Flashfloods and mudslides on hilly areas could also occur according to weather forecasters.

Hurricane Julio could affect the islands two days later, brushing the state with its outer bands as it passes slightly to the north as weaker storm.

In a public advisory on Iselle Thursday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."

 A hurricane warning was in effect for the easternmost populated island, Hawaii, with some of the state's other islands -- Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe -- bracing for tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds of under 73 mph.

Direct hurricane hits on Hawaii are rare. Since the 1950s, only two hurricane eyes have hit Hawaii, both of which approached from the south of the islands. Iselle, however, approaches from the east. CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said it would be the first tropical cyclone from that direction to hit the state since the satellite era began in 1959,

Hawaii's most damaging hurricane was Hurricane Iniki that hit in 1992, killing four people and causing damage worth US$2 billion.

Despite the twin storms, Hawaii's primary elections will go on as scheduled Saturday, local TV station KGMB reports. Many voters turned up for early voting in expectation of severe weather, while others concerned that voter turnout could be affected.