After impacting Tonga the system moved rapidly towards the south-southeast and weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, before it was last noted on March 21 about 1,500 km (930 mi) to the south of the Pitcairn Islands.

During the system's post-analysis, it was determined that the warning centers had underestimated Hina's intensity as it passed over Tonga, after damage in the island nation had been greater than expected.

Storm surge and strong winds from both cyclones caused a severe amount of coastal erosion on all of the country’s nine atolls, with about 6.7% of land washed into the sea.

[1][2] Over the next two days the depression remained near Rotuma with little to no movement, as it started to develop further in an area of minimal vertical wind shear and good upper air divergence.

[4] During that day after having moved to the north, Hina curved to the east and later south-eastwards, before it passed about 55 km (35 mi) to the southeast of Niulakita the southernmost island of Tuvalu during March 14.

[1] The system also crossed the 180th meridian during that day, which prompted the JTWC to pass the responsibility for warning the United States Government to the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC).

[5][6] Early on March 16, as Hina passed over the southern islands of Tonga, the FMS reported that based on satellite imagery and guidance from other meteorological centers, the system had 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h (55 mph).

[10] The system weakened below tropical cyclone intensity during the next day, before it was last noted by MetService on March 21, while it was located about 1,500 km (930 mi) to the south of the Pitcairn Islands.

[1] The FMS subsequently deduced that Hina was a minimal category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with peak 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 120 km/h (75 mph) when it passed near or over Tongatapu at around 08:30 UTC (21:30 UTC+13).

[1] The gale warning was subsequently extended out to cover the whole of the archipelago during the next day, after marginal squally gale-force winds were observed to the north of the monsoon trough in association with the system.

[14][15] Cyclone Gavin and Hina's waves, storm surge and strong winds both caused a severe amount of coastal erosion on all of the country’s nine atolls with about 6.7% of the land washed into the sea.

[22] Late on March 15, ahead of the system affecting Tonga, gale warnings were issued for the Southern Tongan island groups of Haʻapai, Tongatapu and Vavaʻu.

[1][23] A post disaster survey attributed the greater damages to higher than expected wind gusts caused by either a low level squall or a jet streak.

[7] On the main island of Tongatapu, extensive damages to utilities, vegetation and agriculture in places, with more than 12,000 tonnes (26,000,000 lb) of fruit and food crops including banana trees and coconut palms destroyed.

[24] The Electric and Water boards sustained over T$2.9 million in damage to its infrastructure, with power lines brought down throughout Tongatapu which caused a complete blackout during March 16.

[25] During the system's aftermath, insurance companies flew in people to assess the damage, while agricultural authorities on Tongatapu and 'Eua advised landowners to plant fast maturing produce such as sweet potatoes.

[30] At the meeting donors were requested to review existing of proposed bilateral programs, to see if they can be adjusted or brought forward to cater for the repairs or rebuilding of schools and other government buildings.

[30][31][32] The French government provided a cargo plane, to conduct a damage survey of the affected areas and US$100,000 for tents, tarpaulins and blankets and two diesel generators.