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Tropical Storm Lala continues to weaken as it continues to move westward away from the state.
Lala came within about 35 miles of Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, bringing severe wind and rain. The outer bands of the storm brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to parts of Maui Nui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard along with Hawaiʻi County officials conducted search-and-rescue operations in Nāʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu due to severe flash flooding early Sunday morning. Flood waters cut off road access in the community in Kaʻū, and the county received reports of homes being inundated.
National Guard high water vehicles are being deployed to access individuals who had called 911 in flooded neighborhoods. A Coast Guard helicopter is assisting these operations.
Wind gusts of over 50 mph were reported across the island, with the highest gusts exceeding 70 mph in South Point and 80 mph in Kohala. Peak rainfall measurements between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday were around 15 to 17 inches across windward Maui and the Big Island.
Lala also knocked out power across the state. Hawaiian Electric said over 178,000 customers had lost power as of Sunday night, mostly on Oʻahu. Click here for HECO's outage maps by island. HECO has asked Oʻahu customers from Salt Lake to East Oʻahu to conserve electricity until Monday. Over 300 Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative customers were without power as of Sunday night, with the majority of those in Kapaʻa, Hāʻena and Kōloa. Click here for KIUC's outage map.
In response to the power outages, the Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply has told customers island-wide to restrict water usage to essential needs, like drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm's arrival, and his office is in touch with federal emergency officials.
Hawaiʻi Island
The Big Island took the early brunt of the storm.
The state Department of Education announced that Nāʻālehu Elementary School will be closed Monday, Aug. 17, through Thursday, Aug. 20 due to storm-related impacts. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School will be closed on Monday.
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reopened Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, but asks travelers to check in with their carrier before heading to the airport.
Several events scheduled across Hawaiʻi Island have been canceled or postponed. Camping permits are canceled for Saturday night, and county buses and paratransit vans will not run on Saturday.
Most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closed Friday, but Kīlauea Military Camp, Volcano House and the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio will remain open for registered guests.
On Friday, Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda signed a county-level emergency proclamation.
Maui Nui
Maui Police Department has increased its staffing in all districts during the storm.
Both the Kīpahulu District and Summit District of Haleakalā National Park closed Friday. The park will reopen when weather conditions improve.
Maui Bus fixed route and paratransit services resumed operations at 10 a.m. Sunday, except for detours to West Maui Express #9 and Kīhei Village #15.
Maui County officials converted the temporary evacuation points on Maui into shelters on Saturday afternoon. Shelters provide cots, food and water. Those seeking shelter should bring bedding, medications and other essential items.
Oʻahu
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that rain fell Sunday morning at a rate of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, and parts of Oʻahu were forecast to get up to 8 inches of rain over the course of the storm.
Heavy rains swelled streams across Oʻahu. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office shared on social media Sunday morning that the Mānoa Stream was near the top of its banks. Another post advised residents to heed emergency alerts and be prepared to evacuate low-lying areas.
The city announced it would resume bus services mid-morning on Sunday, but that workforce availability and weather conditions could impact routes.
On Sunday morning, Hawaiian Electric asked Oʻahu customers from Salt Lake to East O‘ahu to limit their electricity use until at least 10 p.m. The utility said that the storm had heavily impacted Oʻahu's electrical system, and that voluntary reductions in power usage would help ensure sufficient electricity supply to meet demand.
The Honolulu Police Department had closed a section of the Pali Hwy in both directions from Kamehameha Hwy on the Kailua side to Waokanaka St in Nu'uanu due to downed trees. Sections of Kalākaua Ave, Seaside Ave, Kapi‘olani Boulevard and Kahekili Hwy were also closed. HPD has reopened HPD the H1 at the Punahou Overpass to westbound traffic.
The Honolulu Fire Department says between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, crews responded to 40 storm-related calls of downed trees and damaged roofs. A hiker also called for a rescue ahead of the storm, prompting emergency officials to urge everyone to stay home.
The Honolulu Police Department was also fully staffed with officers. It has also partnered with the Department of Ocean Safety and the Hawaiʻi National Guard to respond to any calls for help that came in during the storm. Police Chief David Lazar reminded people to check on neighbors and to take care of one another.
The city's Community Outreach Response and Engagement team reached out to unhoused individuals to get them into shelters ahead of the storm. As of Sunday, CORE said 24 people had taken shelter.
The City and County of Honolulu has activate a non-emergency call center to field storm-related questions, which can be reached at 808-723-8960. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.
Honolulu's Board of Water Supply has asked residents to reduce water use since storm damage and power outages can impact the BWS's ability to pump water from wells and other water resources.
Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation has suspended permits for camping and park activities.
The city is encouraging Oʻahu property owners who experienced storm damage to fill out a damage assessment form.
As of 10 a.m. on Sunday, 117 people and 21 pets were in the city's refuge areas.
Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi braced for storm impacts Sunday morning. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami's issued an emergency proclamation and urged Kauaʻi residents to be vigilant ahead of severe weather.
Several roads were closed Sunday morning due to downed tress and powers lines: Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge; Kuamoo Road in Wailua Homesteads; Omao Road in the vicinity of Koloa Road; and Lauoho Road.
The county's transfer stations and landfill were closed on Sunday, and all county parks and camping areas were closed until further notice.
The Kauaʻi Department of Water said service was out in the Hāʻena-Wainiha areas.
The Water Department also sent out a water conservation notice for households in Princeville and some surrounding areas. Those customers are asked to restrict water use to essential activities like drinking, cooking, and hygiene as a precautionary measure in case water access is limited during the storm.
HPR will be providing storm updates on hawaiipublicradio.org as they come in. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center will have its latest forecast at 5 and 11 a.m. and 5 and 11 p.m. Emergency alerts will be broadcast on both HPR-1 and HPR-2 — here's how to listen on the radio and streaming. You can also find updates on Facebook and Instagram.
To help others or find resources in the wake of Hurricane Lala, click here.
