US: Hurricane Lala Brings Hawaii Heavy Rain, Strong Winds

Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, August 16, 2026, passing the island's southern tip as a Category 1 storm before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved westward on Sunday. While the island avoided a direct hit, the storm brought significant rainfall and strong winds, causing disruptions across the archipelago.

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There have been a lot of roads impacted, our crews have already been out to more than 30 sites.

Tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain and gusty winds, have since spread to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. The National Hurricane Center warned that winds on mountain tops could be considerably stronger than surface-level calculations suggest. Governor Josh Green reported at least one fatality in a car accident on the Big Island's South Point area and noted several roofs were blown off, with crews already responding to over 30 impacted roads.

Earlier, Lala had maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). Forecasters predicted the Big Island could receive 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) of rain, with up to 25 inches in some areas, raising concerns about life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. A storm surge of one to three feet, accompanied by large and dangerous waves, was also anticipated.

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This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

In response, Governor Green declared a state of emergency and urged residents to shelter in place. More than 60,000 utility customers statewide lost power, including over 31,000 on the Big Island. Hilo International Airport closed, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport was also shut down. Authorities opened shelters and advised residents on preparedness measures, while dry conditions outside the storm's path raised concerns about wildfire risks.

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It's a serious storm.