Hurricane Lala passed south of Hawaii’s Big Island, but the Category 1 storm still disrupted communities across the islands, leaving nearly 90,000 customers without electricity while officials warned that flooding and mudslides remained a serious threat.
The storm did not make a confirmed direct landfall, but its wide wind field and heavy rain bands caused widespread problems. Power outages spread across Hawaii, flights were canceled, airports closed temporarily, and emergency officials prepared for possible flooding in vulnerable areas.
By Saturday evening, reports citing Hawaiian Electric placed the number of customers without power at about 88,030 statewide, including more than 63,000 on Hawaii Island.
Lala’s biggest impacts came after the storm passed closest to Hawaii, as crews faced dangerous conditions while trying to restore essential services.
Lala Stayed Offshore But Still Brought Dangerous Conditions
The hurricane did not make a confirmed landfall, but its strong winds and rainfall affected large parts of Hawaii.
At 11 p.m. HST on August 15, the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Lala was about 65 miles west of Kailua-Kona and 130 miles south-southeast of Honolulu.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was moving northwest at 15 mph.
A Hurricane Warning remained in effect for Hawaii County, while Tropical Storm Warnings covered Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County.
The National Hurricane Center said hurricane-force winds extended up to 35 miles from Lala’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds reached up to 175 miles.
That wide reach meant communities away from the storm’s center still experienced strong winds, heavy rain, and disruptions.
Power Restoration Became A Major Challenge
Hawaiian Electric warned that some outages could continue as crews worked through storm damage and unsafe conditions.
Power outages became one of the most immediate problems after Hurricane Lala moved through the islands.
Hawaiian Electric reported about 44,000 customers without power at 3 p.m. HST Saturday, including approximately 32,300 customers on Hawaii Island, 3,300 in Maui County and 8,400 on Oahu.
The utility said it had restored electricity to more than 42,000 customers by that time.
Later reports citing Hawaiian Electric placed the statewide outage total at about 88,030 customers by 7 p.m. HST, including 63,270 on Hawaii Island.
Outage numbers can change during a storm response because utilities may restore service in some areas while discovering additional damage elsewhere.
Hawaiian Electric warned customers to prepare for possible extended outages and reminded residents that downed power lines should always be treated as energized and dangerous.
The company said crews could face delays because repairs require safe access to damaged equipment, roads and electrical infrastructure.
Flooding Became The Next Major Concern
Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall could create dangerous flooding and mudslides even after Lala moved away.
The National Hurricane Center warned that rainfall from Lala could produce “life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.”
Forecasters expected additional rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across the Big Island and windward Maui, with some windward areas of the Big Island potentially receiving storm totals of up to 35 inches.
The National Weather Service warned that heavy rain could overwhelm streams and drainage systems, creating dangerous road conditions and flooding in low-lying communities.
Save this article
Enter your email address and we'll send it straight to your inbox.
A flash-flood emergency was reported for parts of the Big Island, including areas near Nā‘ālehu, Pāhala, and Hawaiian Ocean View, where officials reported intense rainfall rates.
The danger was especially high in mountainous areas, where saturated ground increases the risk of mudslides.
Related: 10 Unexpectedly Fascinating Facts About Rain (and Why It Matters More Than We Think)
Travel Disruptions Spread Across Hawaii
The storm temporarily closed airports and disrupted flights as airlines adjusted operations.
Hurricane Lala affected travel across Hawaii as officials prepared for dangerous weather conditions.
Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on the Big Island temporarily closed during the storm. Commercial ports on Hawaii Island and parts of Maui County were also closed.
Airlines canceled and adjusted flights as weather affected operations. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines reported cancellations involving both interisland and transpacific routes.
Travelers were advised to check directly with airlines because schedules could change as airports reopened and crews assessed conditions.
Even after operations resume, airlines often need time to recover from disruptions because canceled flights can create backlogs and require aircraft and crews to be repositioned.
Officials Are Still Assessing Lala’s Damage
The final impact of Hurricane Lala will not be clear until emergency crews complete inspections across affected areas.
Officials reported one death during the storm after a vehicle collision near Ocean View on the Big Island. Two people were injured in the crash, but authorities had not confirmed whether weather conditions caused the incident.
There were also preliminary reports of flooding damage and homes being affected, but officials had not released a complete damage assessment.
Governor Josh Green said Hawaii was facing “an incredible amount of water” and urged residents and visitors to prepare for flooding and power outages.
The state deployed approximately 180 National Guard personnel as part of its emergency response.
Officials are now focused on restoring electricity, clearing hazards, and assessing damage caused by wind, rain, and flooding.
Related: Tropical Storm Bertha Threatens Gulf Coast With Flooded Roads, Power Outages and Dangerous Heat
Hurricane Lala’s Damage Was About More Than Wind Speed
Lala showed that a storm’s impact depends on more than just its classification.
Hurricane Lala remained a Category 1 storm, but its effects reached far beyond the location of its center.
For residents, the most immediate concerns were not only wind speeds but whether they had electricity, whether roads remained accessible, and whether emergency crews could safely reach affected areas.
The storm also highlighted a challenge common in island communities: when essential systems such as power, transportation, and roads are disrupted, recovery can depend on conditions improving before repairs can even begin.
As crews continue responding, Hawaii faces the next phase of the storm: restoring services and determining the full extent of the damage.
What do you think matters most after a major storm passes: restoring power quickly, reopening transportation, or preventing future flooding risks?
