Tropical Storm Lala moved through Hawaii earlier in the week, weakening from hurricane status to a tropical storm before impacting the state. The storm brought intense rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding that proved more destructive than wind damage alone. One fatality was reported—a 90-year-old woman found deceased in Naalehu on Monday—though additional details remained unavailable.
The Big Island experienced the most severe impacts, with communities in the southern regions becoming isolated due to debris-blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. Floodwaters caused significant destruction in areas including Naalehu, Pahala, and Waiohinu, with some damage extending to cemetery sites. Approximately 100 homes were swept from their foundations and washed away. The heaviest rainfall recorded was 43.54 inches at Laupahoehoe on the northeast coast, while Mauna Kea volcano recorded wind gusts reaching 140 mph. Residents across the island chain experienced tropical storm force winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph at lower elevations.
Power outages affected nearly 104,000 customers across Hawaii as of Monday afternoon, with the Big Island’s transmission system sustaining extensive damage from fallen trees, utility poles, and transmission towers. Emergency services were temporarily disrupted when 911 went offline due to communications impacts, though service was restored by afternoon. State and county officials closed schools and government offices Monday, with Big Island facilities remaining shuttered Tuesday as cleanup efforts began.
Governor Josh Green toured affected areas and expressed optimism that accessible roads would be restored within days rather than weeks. Federal officials pledged recovery assistance, with Senator Brian Schatz coordinating with the Transportation Secretary regarding emergency funding for debris removal and infrastructure repairs. The storm was forecast to move westward and potentially strengthen into a hurricane again while remaining far from land by Wednesday. Authorities advised residents to avoid ocean areas with discolored water and cautioned that saturated ground could trigger additional landslides, though immediate wind hazards had passed.
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