While Hurricane Kiko remains roughly 1,500 miles east of the Hawaiian Islands, the storm will be worth watching in the coming days. On Wednesday Kiko rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane from Category 2 intensity in only 6 hours. The storm is moving through a region with warm waters and low wind shear for at least the rest of the week, which means it's staying in conditions that are favorable to hurricanes. Hurricane Kiko is traveling due west, but is forecast to begin turning more west-northwest by Friday or Saturday. While Kiko is expected to begin weakening late this weekend into early next week, the storm will likely maintain hurricane strength at least through then. As of now, it's too early to know what impacts, if any, there will be in the Hawaiian Islands. However, it's important to keep a close eye on the forecast. Most model guidance suggests that there will be some impacts around the middle part of next week as a tropical storm or low-end hurricane. The distance of Kiko's track from the islands will determine its level of impact. If the storm passes closer to the islands, then we could see heavy rainfall, gusty winds and higher surf. Of course, if the storm passes farther away, then the impacts will be less. Even if Kiko makes a close brush with the Hawaiian Islands, some environmental factors could hinder the strength of the storm. Wind Shear:The closer the storm gets to the Hawaiian Islands, the more wind shear it will encounter. This will most likely cause the storm to weaken as it approaches the islands. Sea Surface Temperatures:While ocean temperatures are 80 degrees Fahrenheit along Kiko's track, the water does cool slightly around the islands. This could also help the storm lose some intensity. Dry Air:There will also be a pocket of dry air near the islands as Kiko is making an approach. Dry air also contributes to storms weakening. With several days to go, there is still uncertainty in the track and intensity forecast, so it's important to stay informed and check back frequently for updates on Hurricane Kiko. Jennifer Grayis a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.