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The Central Pacific Hurricane Center has downgraded Lala from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but it cautions that dangerous conditions are still present. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire state.
Lala came within about 35 miles of Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, bringing severe wind and rain. The storm weakened slightly overnight as it passed by Hawaiʻi Island, but the islands are likely to continue to see strong winds throughout Sunday. Rainfall is expected to ease across Hawaiʻi Island and Maui on Sunday morning as Lala moves west, though flash flooding and mudslides remain a threat.
Gov. Josh Green said in a social media video update Saturday evening that a vehicle accident in South Point on Hawaiʻi Island during the hurricane resulted in one fatality.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard along with Hawaiʻi County officials are conducting search-and-rescue operations in Nāʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu due to severe flash flooding early Sunday morning. Rising flood waters have cutoff road access in the community in Kaʻū, and the County has 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.
Residents assisted by this operation were taken to the Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala and the area’s Department of Public Works base yard.
The island remains under a hurricane warning, with hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding expected through Sunday morning. Damaging winds and heavy rain will also persist across Maui County overnight before spreading westward across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi throughout Sunday.
Wind gusts of over 50 mph have been 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.
Hawaiian Electric said over 88,000 customers had lost power as of 8 p.m. Saturday with a majority of them on the Big Island. Click here for HECO's outage maps by island.
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.
Public school and some university campuses are closed throughout the weekend, and many county services are limited. Camping and lodging at all state parks has been suspended for the weekend. Residents and visitors can sign up for county-specific emergency alerts here.
Hawaiʻi Island
The Big Island took the early brunt of the storm — some windward parts of the island could get up to 20 inches of rain by the end of the weekend.
High winds of up to 80 mph in some places have brought down trees and toppled power lines. Several major roads are experiencing closures, including Highways 250, 19 and 11.
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation closed Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole at 2 p.m. Officials anticipates staff returning to the airports on Sunday to resume operations.
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 and told residents to expect road closures and power outages.
"It's time to hunker down. Stay off the roads," Alameda said.
Maui Nui
Next to Big Island, Maui County faces some of the highest potential for heavy rain and strong winds. Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said conditions could quickly turn dangerous, especially on roads and near streams and steep areas.
"We need everyone to understand the risks where they live and know what they will do if conditions change,” he said.
Maui Police Department has increased its staffing in all districts. The department advised the public that response times for non-emergency calls may be longer 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 is suspending many of its fixed route and paratransit services early on Saturday. Find more details on whether your bus is running here.
The Maui Department of Transportation is offering rides to shelters for eligible riders on Saturday. For more information, call 808-877-7651.
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. 40 people were in the shelters as of Saturday evening.
Alaska and Hawaiian airlines was operating a reduced scheduled to and from Kahului on Saturday.
Oʻahu
The National Weather Service has put Oʻahu under a flash flood warning until 7:30 a.m. The Honolulu Police Department said the H1 Freeway was closed in both directions between the Punahou and Wilder off ramps.
Due to high winds and rain across Oʻahu, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services is suspending TheBus services. Passengers should consider alternate arrangements for Saturday night into Sunday morning in the event service cannot be resumed. All municipal golf courses will be closed on Sunday due to the weather.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said at a Saturday evening press conference that the biggest concern with the storm is strong wind, power outages and complications that comes with outages. More than 8 inches of rain is forecasted to fall in some mountain areas on Oʻahu.
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 rooves. Crews are positioned to respond to an increase of calls when the storm reaches the island. A hiker also called for a rescue ahead of the storm, prompting emergency officials to urge everyone to stay home.
The Honolulu Police Department says it's 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 come in during the storm. Chief David Lazar reminded people to check on neighbors and to take care of one another.
CORE has been proactive in the days leading up to the storm and all day Saturday, reaching out to unhoused individuals to get them into shelters.
Honolulu City and County is activated a non-emergency call center to field storm-related questions at 7 a.m. on Saturday, which can be reached at 808-723-8960. Anyone experiencing an emergency should call 911.
Some public buses on Oʻahu will be repurposed to provide transportation from affected areas to emergency shelters. Buses providing evacuation service will be clearly marked with signage, and no fare will be required.
Honolulu's Board of Water Supply has asked residents to reduce water use before severe weather arrives. Storm damage and power outages can impact the BWS's ability to pump water from wells and other water resources.
The storm is expected to cause dangerously high surf and rip currents statewide, particularly on south-facing shores. Duke's Waikiki has postponed its annual Ocean Mile Swim to Saturday, Aug. 22. As a precaution, the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department is extending lifeguard coverage along most east and south shore beaches.
Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation is suspending permits for camping and park activities beginning 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.
As of 4 p.m. Saturday, 32 people were in the city's refuge areas.
Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami's office advised Kauaʻi residents that risk of the impending storm may build through the weekend and that county facilities and services could close with little to no notice.
Officials note that Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may be closed with little or no advance notice, particularly if a Flash Flood Warning is issued. Utilities and other services may also be disrupted.
The Kauaʻi Department of Water 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.
Hawaiian Airlines operated a reduced schedule to and from Līhuʻe on Saturday.
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.
