Hawaii has often dodged the path of hurricanes. Why did it see so many storms this summer?

The island chain has tended to avoid the worst effects, but Hurricanes Lowell and Lala left a trail of damage this year Hurricane Lowell surged near the Hawaiian Islands this week, leaving a trail of downed trees and power lines, crumbled roads, sunken boats and destroyed piers on the island of Kauai.

Residents were left to grapple not only with the damage, but the rising risks to the tropical archipelago as sea…