Hurricane Lala forecast updates indicated fierce winds and heavy rain across Hawaiʻi this weekend as the system brushed past South Point on Hawaiʻi island and tracked west of the chain.
Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation Friday, allowing state agencies to respond more quickly to storm impacts. The Hawaiʻi National Guard was placed on standby, according to officials.
Hawaiʻi island was under a hurricane warning, while a tropical storm warning covered the remaining counties, according to the National Weather Service. Officials noted the Big Island has not seen a direct hurricane landfall in 155 years.
County and state agencies said they had pre-staged resources and continued to monitor changing conditions.
Latest Hurricane Lala forecast, map
As of 7 p.m. Saturday, Hurricane Lala was centered about 40 miles west of South Point and moving northwest at 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Officials cautioned that hazardous conditions can extend well beyond the storm’s center.
Tropical storm force winds and heavy rain began on Hawaiʻi island Friday night, with the southern districts taking the strongest hit. Maui County saw downpours Saturday, and Oʻahu and Kauaʻi were forecast to feel impacts from Saturday night into Sunday.
Officials said the highest fire risk period passed without major incident Thursday and Friday, when strong winds coincided with relatively dry conditions. Daniel K. Inouye Highway reopened after a wildfire earlier in the week forced a closure along Saddle Road.
Forecasters said windward zones could receive the most rainfall, with flood concerns possible in leeward communities. The risk of flash flooding increases where heavy showers repeat over the same areas, especially with soils still saturated from the March Kona lows.
Keep up with Hawaiʻi power outages
Tens of thousands of customers lost electricity statewide Saturday. Hawaiian Electric said roughly 500 workers were on standby to restore service as conditions allow. Residents were encouraged to check utility outage maps for neighborhood-specific updates.
What’s the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane?
According to the National Weather Service, a tropical storm is a cyclone with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. A hurricane has sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. While tropical cyclones can form any time, Hawaiʻi’s peak hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
How is a hurricane watch different from a warning?
Hawaiʻi island was under a hurricane warning, which the National Ocean Service defines as hurricane conditions expected in the warned area. A hurricane watch indicates conditions are possible, typically issued within 48 hours of anticipated tropical-storm-force winds.
Big Island closures, shelters
Hawaiʻi County announced closures and cancellations as Lala approached, including suspension of Hele-On bus and Paratransit services on Sunday.
Shelters opened Friday at the following locations:
- Captain Cook: Yano Hall (82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway)
- Hilo: Waiākea High School Gym (155 W. Kawili St.)
- Honokaʻa: Honokaʻa Gym (45-541 Lehua St.)
- Kailua-Kona: Kealakehe High School Gym (74-5000 Puohulihuli St.)
- Kapaʻau: Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium (54-382 Kamehameha Park Road)
- Keaʻau: Keaʻau Armory (16-512 Volcano Road)
- Laupāhoehoe: Laupāhoehoe Public Charter School band room (35-2605 Mamalahoa Highway)
- Nāʻālehu: Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym (95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway)
- Pāhoa: Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility (15-2910 Kauhale St.)
- Pāhala: Robert N. Herkes Gym (96-1219 Kamani St.)
- Waikoloa: Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria (68-1730 Hoʻoko St.)
- Waimea: Kahilu Town Hall (67-1182 Lindsey Road)
The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi island’s food bank, said shelters have been stocked with food and water and that additional help is available for residents who need it. Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht said the organization’s refrigerated fleet is prepared to distribute supplies after the storm and that a FEMA shipment of daily rations is scheduled to arrive Monday.
“We’re planning for the aftermath,” she said. “We’re sadly very experienced at disasters.”
The food bank can be reached at info@hawaiifoodbasket.org.
Oʻahu shelters
The City and County of Honolulu opened pet-friendly shelters at these sites:
- Kahuku: Kahuku Elementary School (56-170 Pualalea St.)
- Kapolei: Kapolei High School (91-5007 Kapolei Parkway)
- Kāneʻohe: Castle High School (45-386 Kaneohe Bay Dr.)
- Makiki: Roosevelt High School (1120 Nehoa St.)
- Mililani: Mililani High School (95-1200 Meheula Parkway)
- Moanalua: Moanalua High School (2825 Ala Ilima St.)
- Nānākuli: Nānākuli Elementary (89-778 Haleakalā Ave.)
- Waimānalo: Blanche Pope Elementary School (41-133 Huli St.)
Maui shelters
Maui County, in partnership with the American Red Cross, opened several shelters. Officials emphasized that basic supplies may be limited and residents should bring essential items.
The following shelters were open:
- Hāna: Hana High & Elementary School Cafeteria (4111 Hāna Highway)
- Kīhei: South Maui Community Park and Gym (1501 Liloa Dr.)
- Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center gym (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway)
- Pukalani: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center (91 Pukalani St.)
- Wailuku: Baldwin High School (1650 Kaahumanu Ave.)
Sign up for emergency alerts on your island
Residents can enroll in county emergency alert systems to receive real-time updates from local officials on closures, evacuations and hazards.
Hawaiʻi airport flight cancellations
Hawaiian Airlines canceled dozens of flights between Friday and Saturday due to the storm. Travelers should check their carrier’s status page for the latest information, including Hawaiian Airlines flight status.
Hawaiʻi schools
The Hawaiʻi Department of Education kept campuses open Friday, then closed schools and offices through the weekend, including all athletic events. The department said it would assess campuses over the weekend and notify families about any changes to Monday operations.
Hawaiʻi reservoir and stream levels
The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Level Center monitors reservoirs on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Maui. As of Saturday afternoon, none were at watch level. The National Water Prediction Service provides statewide stream and river data for ongoing conditions.
Information from government agencies and on-scene reporting contributed to this update. Related coverage: Hawaiian Airlines pilot impostor pleads guilty to wire fraud.
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