A view of the rising water levels at the Wainaku Street Bridge in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, captured on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. Photo by Taylor Cozloff/AP/Civil Beat
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after passing by Hawaii without making landfall. However, it continued to affect the Big Island with gusts reaching hurricane strength. Authorities predicted nearly three feet (one meter) of rainfall on the higher windward slopes, transforming rivers into torrents and posing risks of mudslides.
Widespread Storm Conditions
Sunday saw tropical storm conditions move westward from Maui to Oahu and Kauai. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that wind speeds on mountains and slopes could be up to 30% stronger than those near the surface. Lala’s gradual passage battered the Big Island’s coast with powerful waves. Winds howled, palm trees swayed, and waterways flooded from persistent sideways rain.
More than 130,000 households experienced power outages on Hawaii’s three largest islands, according to poweroutage.us. At least three hospitals relied on generator power, as stated by Gov. Josh Green. At least one person lost their life in a car accident in the South Point area. Additionally, the storm resulted in the loss of 19 roofs and heavily impacted roads, prompting crews to respond to over 30 sites.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Civil Defense, the National Guard, and Coast Guard launched search-and-rescue operations after flash floods swept several homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted the challenges posed by rushing water, debris, and boulders obstructing roads, especially in darkness.
Tropical Storm Lala’s Path
Tropical storm warnings were active for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, as Lala moved westward. The potential for destructive flooding remained high, with strong winds possibly igniting wildfires. By early Sunday in Hawaii, Lala was positioned about 105 miles (170 kilometers) west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Honolulu. The storm bore tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 175 miles (280 km) from its center, with top winds at 70 mph (110 kph) and moving northwest at approximately 15 mph (24 kmh). Forecasters anticipated Lala regaining hurricane strength midweek once it moved well beyond the island chain.
Some areas on the Big Island, especially those around Mauna Kea volcano, could see up to 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain, posing landslide risks to residents in improvised housing.
This satellite image by NOAA displays Tropical Storm Lala over the Pacific Ocean, near Hawaii, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. Image courtesy of NOAA/AP
Residents Prepare for the Storm
As Lala approached, shelters opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to keep cattle in open pastures instead of potentially unsafe structures. Many residents were still recovering from severe floods in March and took precautions. Bobby Camara, a resident of 75 years, planned to “hunker down” at a care home near Hilo. He noted increased activity at gas stations as people sought fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, emphasizing self-reliance as part of island life.
Mike Caputo from Keaau ensured readiness with a power generator and a full 10,000-gallon (37.8 kiloliter) home water tank. He expressed concerns about flash floods and falling trees, especially vulnerable albizia trees, which can block roads.
Warnings Issued Across the Islands
Christine Matsuda from Waimea described “big gusts every few minutes” shaking her house. She reported unexpected leaks in places untroubled under normal conditions. The hurricane center predicted 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.5 centimeters) of rainfall across Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, and 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) across the rest of the island chain.
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