Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, prompting the National Hurricane Center to issue a hurricane warning for Hawaii County and tropical storm warnings for Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.
As of 5 p.m. HST on Friday, Lala was located 235 miles east-southeast of South Point with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, moving west-northwest near 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Steady strengthening is forecast, and the system is expected to reach hurricane strength before its closest approach to the Big Island early Saturday.
Widespread Warnings Across the Island Chain
A hurricane warning covers the entirety of Hawaii County, meaning hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Tropical storm warnings extend across Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe, with tropical storm conditions expected Saturday night. Tropical storm watches are in effect for Oahu and Kauai Counties, where conditions could deteriorate by Sunday morning.
Tropical-storm-force winds already extend outward up to 220 miles from the center, meaning impacts will be felt well before the core arrives. The NHC warned that life-threatening surf and rip current conditions are already building along east-facing shores and will spread to exposed southern shores as the system passes south of the islands.
Rainfall Totals Could Reach 25 Inches
Forecasters expect Lala to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island, with maximum totals of up to 25 inches possible across the higher elevations of the Big Island. The remainder of the island chain is forecast to receive 4 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts of 8 inches. The combination of heavy rain and steep terrain raises the risk of life-threatening mudslides and landslides.
Dangerous surf is expected along windward and southern shores, with prolonged heavy swells likely to cause localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels is possible along parts of the Big Island’s coastline.
Residents Urged to Prepare
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency urged residents across all islands to prepare for a multi-day event, noting that conditions may linger into Monday before improving as the system moves west. All outdoor activities are considered extremely dangerous from Saturday afternoon onward, and authorities are advising people to avoid beaches, summits, and exposed highways.
The storm’s track through the central Pacific is being closely watched given the vulnerability of the island chain. Lala is the latest system to threaten Hawaii during the 2026 Pacific hurricane season, which has been active amid warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures across the region.
Sources: National Hurricane Center; Central Pacific Hurricane Center; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency; ABC News
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