I think that by issuing a Special Tropical Weather Outlook the NHC has done a good job of providing the necessary alert. The folks on the Islands are not as dependent as others might be on NHC - if something is heading their way they prepare. By NHC Definition:

Tropical Storm Warning:
An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch:
An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.

Except for flooding, modest TS conditions are usually tolerable - and although I certainly would not recommend such a short notice, even one hour meets the criteria of 'within'.
ED