Lala Strengthens into Hurricane, Advances Toward Hawaii

The tropical storm Lala has strengthened into a hurricane, now advancing towards the Hawaiian archipelago with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, according to the U.S. National Weather Service.

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Recent satellite and radar information indicate that Lala has strengthened.

Satellite and radar data indicate Lala's intensification. The storm was located approximately 135 kilometers southeast of the Big Island of Hawaii, prompting warnings of significant rainfall, strong winds, dangerous surf, and localized flooding. Landslides are also a possibility.

Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency on Thursday, stating that Lala "represents a serious threat to our state, particularly to the Island of Hawaii, and we are acting to ensure resources are available when needed." A hurricane watch is in effect for the County of Hawaii (the Big Island), while a tropical storm watch covers the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.

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Significant rains, strong winds, dangerous surf, and localized flooding are expected.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that the Big Island could experience over 60 centimeters of rainfall and dangerous storm surge. The Big Island is the second most populous island with 210,000 residents, following Oahu, which has over a million people. The storm arrives as a powerful El Niño phenomenon is forming in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean, with already high temperatures leading NOAA to predict a 69% chance of an event surpassing previous El Niño intensities between October and December. Scientists regularly warn that climate change, driven by fossil fuel dependence, is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

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Lala represents a serious threat to our state, particularly to the Island of Hawaii, and we are acting to ensure that resources are available when they are needed.