Tropical Storm Lala Pummels Hawaii: Life-Threatening Winds, Rain
Tropical Storm Lala Slams Hawaii: What You Need to Know (Explained Simply)
Important Note: Even though Lala never officially made "landfall" (when the storm’s center crosses the coastline), it still caused major damage because it passed very close to the islands.
What Happened?
Imagine a giant, spinning engine fueled by warm ocean water. That’s a hurricane. Tropical Storm Lala (which was briefly a hurricane) acted like a massive wet vacuum cleaner, sucking up moisture and dumping it on Hawaii in mid-August 2025.
Key Timeline:
- Saturday, August 15, 5:00 PM HST: Lala’s eyewall (the strongest ring of storms around the center) brushed the south side of the Big Island.
- The storm then tracked westward, spreading impacts from Maui → Honolulu (Oahu) → Kauai.
Why Is This Storm Special? (A Rare Guest)
Hawaii doesn’t get hit by hurricanes often. Since 1957, only five hurricanes have passed within 70 miles of the Big Island. Lala is now the 5th member of this exclusive club:
| Year | Storm Name |
|---|---|
| 1957 | Kanoa |
| 2014 | Iselle |
| 2020 | Douglas |
| 2024 | Hone |
| 2025 | Lala |
Source: NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks Database
The "Dirty Side" – Why Hawaii Got the Worst
Hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. The right-front quadrant (relative to the storm’s direction) is nicknamed the "dirty side" because:
- Winds blow toward the land (pushing water ashore → storm surge)
- Strongest winds + heaviest rain + highest tornado risk
Because Lala passed just south of the island chain, all of Hawaii sat directly in this "dirty side."
Wind Impacts: From Breezy to "Hold Onto Your Hat!"
| Location | Wind Gusts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mauna Kea Summit (13,803 ft) | 154 mph | Common at this height; instruments are built for it! |
| Big Island, Maui, Oahu (mountainous areas) | 50–90 mph | Downed trees & power lines, blocked roads |
Callout: 154 mph is Category 4 hurricane force! But don’t panic—this was only at the very top of the tallest mountain. Most people live much lower where winds were strong but not catastrophic.
Rain Impacts: Buckets and Buckets of Water
Lala was a slow-moving, massive rainmaker. Check out these jaw-dropping totals (Friday–Sunday):
| Location | Total Rainfall | 24-Hour Max | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laupahoehoe (Big Island N. coast) | 42.69 inches | 31+ inches | That’s ~3.5 feet of rain in 2 days! |
| Nahuku (Big Island SE) | 35+ inches | – | Nearly 3 feet |
| Hilo Airport | ~10 inches | – | Typical for a very wet storm |
| Other Islands (low elevations) | Up to 10 inches | – | |
| High Peaks/Summits | Over 1 foot (12+ inches) | – | Orographic lift (mountains squeeze out moisture) |
Flash Flood Emergency – Naalehu District (Big Island, South)
- Rainfall rates: 5 inches per hour (that’s a garden hose on full blast, non-stop!)
- Result: Two homes swept away, roads destroyed, dangerous debris flows.
Honolulu (Oahu) – Sunday Morning
- Flash Flood Warning issued.
- Manoa Stream hit record flow levels → "likely causing considerable impacts."
Bonus: Snow in the Tropics?!
Yes! Maunakea Summit (Big Island) got snow. How?
- Storm pulled up deep moisture.
- Temperatures at 13,800 ft are near/below freezing.
- Heavy precipitation fell as snow instead of rain.
Fun Fact: Hawaii’s tallest mountains (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa) get snow almost every winter—but a tropical storm delivering it in August is rare!
Why Did Lala Get So Strong? (The El Niño Connection)
Two big factors teamed up:
- Strengthening El Niño → Changes global wind patterns, reducing wind shear (winds that tear storms apart) over the Central Pacific.
- Warmer-than-average ocean water → Hurricanes are heat engines; warmer fuel = stronger storms.
Result: A more active Central Pacific hurricane season was expected, and Lala delivered.
Summary: The Big Picture
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Storm | Tropical Storm Lala (briefly Hurricane) |
| Closest Approach | Aug 15, 5 PM HST, south of Big Island |
| Landfall? | No – but impacts were severe |
| Historical Rank | 5th hurricane within 70 mi of Big Island since 1957 |
| Top Wind | 154 mph (Mauna Kea summit only) |
| Top Rain | 42.69″ (Laupahoehoe) |
| Major Hazards | Flash flooding, mudslides, downed trees/power, high surf, snow at summit |
| Climate Driver | El Niño + warm ocean |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. If Lala didn’t make landfall, why was it so bad?
Think of a sprinkler: you don’t need to stand on the sprinkler to get wet. Lala’s "dirty side" aimed the heaviest rain and strongest winds right at the islands, even though the center stayed offshore.
2. Is 42 inches of rain in 2 days normal?
Absolutely not. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime (or rarer) event. For context, some deserts get less than 42 inches in 10 years!
3. Why do mountains get more rain and wind?
- Rain: Moist air hits the mountain, rises, cools, and condenses → orographic lift (squeezing a wet sponge).
- Wind: Air accelerates over ridges and through valleys (venturi effect). Mauna Kea is an exposed peak—it catches the full brunt.
4. Does El Niño mean more hurricanes for Hawaii?
Generally, yes for the Central Pacific. El Niño reduces wind shear and warms waters there. But every season is different—it loads the dice, doesn’t guarantee a roll.
5. What should I do if I’m in Hawaii during a storm like this?
- Stay informed (NOAA Weather Radio, local alerts).
- Avoid roads during flash flood warnings (turn around, don’t drown!).
- Prepare for power outages (water, batteries, meds).
- Never drive through flooded roads—6 inches of moving water can knock you down; 12 inches can float a car.
- Respect road closures—they’re there for your safety.
Final Thought: Hawaii’s geography (tall mountains in the middle of the ocean) makes it a magnet for extreme rainfall when tropical cyclones pass nearby. Lala was a powerful reminder: you don’t need a direct hit to get hit hard. Stay prepared, stay safe!