Hurricane Lala bypassed Hawaii’s Big Island without making landfall, though it unleashed strong winds and torrential rains that caused widespread flooding and disrupted daily life across the region. As of late afternoon on August 16, the storm had weakened slightly but remained a threat, with tropical storm warnings still active for multiple islands. The National Weather Service confirmed that the eye of the storm had passed the southern tip of the Big Island, reducing the likelihood of a direct hit. Meteorologist Joseph Clark stated that landfall was not anticipated at this stage, though the storm continued to pose challenges for residents. Lala intensified into a Category 1 hurricane earlier in the day, with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 kilometers per hour. This marked the first time in 155 years that the Big Island faced the potential of a direct hurricane strike. The last recorded hurricane to hit the island was in 1871, when a Category 3 storm struck the northeastern corner. The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm’s outer bands had already begun to impact the region, generating whitecaps along the shorelines, howling winds that bent palm trees, and swollen waterways filled with runoff from relentless rain. The effects of the storm were felt across the island, with reports of flooding and mudslide risks increasing due to heavy rainfall. Governor Josh Green emphasized the need for residents to stay indoors, citing rainfall rates of up to five centimeters per hour. Forecasters indicated that higher elevations, particularly around the Mauna Kea volcano, could receive as much as 63 centimeters of rain, posing a serious risk of life-threatening mudslides in remote, off-grid communities. Power outages affected tens of thousands of households, with Hawaiian Electric issuing warnings of possible extended blackouts lasting into the night. Utility workers assessed damage along the Hamakua Coast, where a 67-kilometer stretch of transmission lines had been damaged by fallen trees and debris. Residents such as Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old longtime resident of Hilo, prepared for the worst, stockpiling supplies and ensuring emergency generators were operational. Gas stations saw increased traffic as people sought fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, reflecting a community accustomed to preparing for extreme weather conditions. Local officials took proactive measures to mitigate the storm’s impact. The Hawaii Department of Transportation closed Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, effective at 2 p.m. local time on Saturday. Commercial ports on the Big Island, Maui County, and Kaua‘i were also shut down. Shelters were activated, public events canceled, and ranchers were advised to keep livestock outdoors to avoid damage from collapsing structures. The storm’s path mirrored historical precedents. Hurricane Iniki, a Category 4 hurricane that struck Kauai in 1992, caused extensive damage estimated at $3 billion, destroying thousands of homes and claiming six lives. While Lala was less intense than Iniki, its proximity to the Big Island raised concerns among experts and residents alike. University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist Vanessa Almanza noted that the storm’s trajectory placed it very close to the southern tip of the Big Island, emphasizing that even storms that do not make landfall can still cause significant damage through high winds and heavy rainfall. As the storm moved westward, the National Hurricane Center predicted varying levels of rainfall across the islands. Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island could see 20 to 30 centimeters of rain, while other parts of the island chain might experience 10 to 15 centimeters. These amounts, while less severe than those associated with major hurricanes, were sufficient to trigger localized flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas. With Lala continuing to evolve, authorities remained vigilant, monitoring changes in the storm’s intensity and direction. The situation underscored the ongoing vulnerability of Hawaii to tropical systems, despite advances in forecasting technology and disaster preparedness efforts. For now, residents focused on enduring the storm’s passage, hoping for minimal disruption and a swift return to normalcy.
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