Hurricane Lala made landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday evening, killing at least one person, cutting power to 16,000 residents, and tearing roofs off homes as the Category 1 storm lashed the island chain with sustained winds reaching 80 mph.
The storm, which strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane shortly before impact, delivered more than 13 inches of rain to parts of the Big Island. Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, unlocking access to a 100 million dollar disaster fund for immediate response and recovery efforts.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described widespread damage across the island. “Roofs are being ripped off, trees are falling in people’s yards,” he said, noting that 16,000 residents had lost electricity. Downed trees closed multiple roads, and emergency crews were unable to conduct full damage assessments until conditions improved, likely by Monday.
200 Flights Cancelled Across the State
The disruption extended well beyond the Big Island. More than 200 flights were cancelled across Hawaii on Saturday as the storm approached, according to FlightAware. Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that several of its itineraries would be affected. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala was moving northwest at 8 mph, with its center located roughly 65 miles south-southeast of South Point at the time of peak winds.
Forecasters warned of an additional 8 to 12 inches of rainfall across eastern Maui and the Big Island, with the highest totals of 1 to 2 feet possible across higher elevations. Large and dangerous surf was expected along exposed windward and southern shores, with the potential for localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion.
Conditions Worsening Across Island Chain
“Hurricane Lala is passing just south of Hawaii Island, where winds are peaking and some areas have already received more than 13 inches of rain,” Governor Green posted on social media. “Conditions are worsening across Maui County, Oahu and Kauai tonight.”
Hawaii has a relatively low frequency of direct hurricane strikes, making Lala a rare and significant event for the state. The last major hurricane to cause substantial damage in the islands was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which devastated Kauai as a Category 4 storm. Officials urged residents across the island chain to shelter in place and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm passes.
Emergency shelters remained open across multiple islands, and the Red Cross deployed personnel to assist displaced residents. Damage assessment teams were expected to begin field surveys as soon as winds dropped below dangerous levels.
Sources: ABC News; USA Today; National Hurricane Center; Hawaii County government
discussion