Hurricane Lala Slams Hawaii: Life-Threatening Winds, Flooding
Hurricane Lala Slams Hawaii: What You Need to Know (Simple Guide)
ELI5 Summary: A big storm called Hurricane Lala is passing near Hawaii right now. It’s bringing heavy rain, super strong winds, and big waves to the islands. Even though the center of the storm isn’t hitting land directly, the bad side of the storm is aimed right at Hawaii.
Where Is Hurricane Lala Right Now?
- Location: Just south of the Big Island of Hawaii
- Movement: Heading west-northwest
- Time: As of Saturday evening (5 pm HST)
- Landfall? No — the eye (center) is staying offshore, brushing the south side of the Big Island
Fun Fact: This is only the 5th hurricane since 1957 to come within 70 miles of the Big Island! The others were:
- Hone (2024)
- Douglas (2020)
- Iselle (2014)
- Kanoa (1957)
What’s Happening on the Ground? (Storm Reports)
Wind
- 50–90 mph gusts measured across Big Island, Maui, and Oahu
- 154 mph gust recorded on Mauna Kea (Hawaii’s tallest mountain at 13,803 feet)
- 199 mph gust reported at Mauna Kea summit — that’s faster than a race car!
- Trees and power lines knocked down, blocking roads on Big Island
Rain & Flooding
- 3–8 inches of rain already fallen on eastern Big Island and eastern Maui
- 10–18 inches on some mountain slopes
- Roads closed in Hilo, Mountain View, and Hawaiian Paradise due to flooding
Surprise Snow!
- Snow fell at the summit of Maunakea on the Big Island — yes, snow in a hurricane!
Current Alerts — What Do They Mean?
| Alert Type | Areas Affected | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Warning | Big Island | Hurricane-force winds (74+ mph) expected through Saturday night |
| Tropical Storm Warning | Maui County (Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe), Oahu, Kauai County | Winds 39–73 mph, gusts possibly over 70 mph through Sunday |
IMPORTANT: Even though the storm’s center isn’t making landfall, Hawaii is in the "dirty side" of the hurricane — the side with the strongest winds and worst storm surge because winds blow toward land.
What’s Next? (Forecast)
- Saturday night–Sunday: Storm may jog slightly northwest, then curve west-northwest
- Weakening: Lala will weaken as it interacts with Big Island’s mountains
- Monday: Storm departs west of the islands
- After that: Could survive over a week in the central/western Pacific as a hurricane or typhoon — but far from land
Weekend Impacts — What to Expect
1. Flooding Rain (Biggest Danger)
- 8–12 inches expected on Maui and Big Island
- Up to 25 inches possible on Big Island through Sunday
- Life-threatening flash flooding and landslides, especially in hilly/mountainous areas
- Evacuations may be needed — be ready if you live in risky areas
- Remember: You don’t need a direct hurricane hit for dangerous flooding — it happened in March 2026 too!
2. Damaging Winds
- Strong gusts capable of toppling trees and causing power outages across the island chain
- Highest risk: Mountain peaks and passes between mountains
- Double danger: Heavy rain loosens soil → trees fall more easily in wind
- Plan for power outages lasting hours to days
- Watch for falling trees — they cause serious injuries and deaths
3. Coastal Flooding & Storm Surge
- 1–3 feet above ground level on Big Island (east/south-facing shores)
- 1–2 feet for rest of the state
- Worst if peak surge hits at high tide
- Extremely rough surf between islands and around Big Island all weekend
Why So Many Storms? (The Big Picture)
- El Niño is strengthening — this warms the Pacific Ocean
- Warmer-than-average ocean water = more fuel for hurricanes
- Together, these usually mean a more active Central Pacific hurricane season
- Lala may not be the last storm to threaten Hawaii this season!
Quick Safety Checklist (Numbered Steps)
- Stay indoors — don’t go sightseeing in the storm
- Charge devices and have flashlights ready for power outages
- Avoid flooded roads — turn around, don’t drown!
- Stay away from windows during high winds
- Monitor local alerts — conditions change fast
- Have an evacuation plan if you live in flood/landslide zones
- Check on neighbors — especially elderly or vulnerable folks
Summary
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Storm | Hurricane Lala |
| Location | South of Big Island, moving west-northwest |
| Direct hit? | No — eye staying offshore |
| Biggest threats | Flash flooding (up to 25" rain), damaging winds (50–199 mph gusts), storm surge (1–3 ft) |
| Alerts | Hurricane Warning (Big Island), Tropical Storm Warning (rest of state) |
| Timeline | Worst impacts through Sunday, departing Monday |
| Outlook | More storms possible this season due to El Niño |
FAQ — Your Questions Answered
Q: Is the hurricane going to hit Hawaii directly?
A: No. The center (eye) of Hurricane Lala is passing south of the Big Island and won’t make landfall. But Hawaii is getting hit by the storm’s "dirty side" — the quadrant with the strongest winds and heaviest rain.
Q: Why are winds so much stronger on Mauna Kea?
A: Mauna Kea is 13,803 feet tall — nearly 2.5 miles high! Winds are naturally faster at high elevations with no friction from trees or buildings. Plus, the mountain squeezes the wind, making it accelerate (like putting your thumb over a garden hose).
Q: What does "dirty side" of a hurricane mean?
A: In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes spin counterclockwise. The right-front side (relative to the storm’s motion) has winds blowing toward land, adding the storm’s forward speed to its wind speed. This side gets the worst wind, storm surge, and often tornadoes.
Q: How much rain is "a lot" for Hawaii?
A: 8–12 inches in a couple days is extreme — that’s months of rain in 48 hours! Mountain slopes can get 25+ inches. This causes flash floods and landslides because the ground can’t absorb water that fast.
Q: Should I evacuate?
A: Follow local official orders only. If you live in a flood zone, near a stream, on a steep slope, or in a tsunami evacuation zone — have your go-bag ready. Don’t wait for a mandatory order if you feel unsafe.
Author: Jonathan Erdman, Senior Meteorologist at weather.com (covering weather since 1996)
Data Partner: Kalshi (CFTC-regulated event-contract exchange) — weather.com shares data with Kalshi for market resolution; Kalshi provides market data featured in this article.
Stay safe, Hawaii!
This article is based on official National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service advisories. Always check weather.gov or local emergency management for the latest official information.