Lala Exits Hawaii: 100+ Homes Damaged, Thousands Left Powerless
Tropical Storm Lala Slams Hawaii: What Happened and What Comes Next
Source: CNN | Published: August 17, 2026 | Updated: Developing story
What Is Tropical Storm Lala?
Imagine a giant, spinning sprinkler made of wind and rain. That’s basically a tropical storm! Tropical Storm Lala (which briefly became Hurricane Lala) was a powerful weather system that sideswiped the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend of August 15–16, 2026.
Quick Definitions
- Tropical Storm: A rotating storm with winds 39–73 mph (63–118 km/h)
- Hurricane (Category 1): Same thing, but winds reach 74–95 mph (119–153 km/h)
- Eyewall: The ring of strongest winds around the storm’s calm center (the "eye")
Timeline: What Happened When?
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug 15 | Lala strengthens to Category 1 hurricane; eyewall brushes Big Island’s southern coast (~30 miles offshore) |
| Saturday Night | Destructive flooding, landslides, and wind damage peak; rescues underway |
| Sunday, Aug 16 | Governor confirms 100+ homes damaged/destroyed; schools/offices closed for Monday |
| Monday, Aug 17 | Storm moves west; worst conditions over, but rain bands still hit Kauai; damage assessment begins |
The Damage: By the Numbers
IMPORTANT: This is a developing situation. Numbers may change as assessments continue.
- Homes: At least 100+ damaged or destroyed (some torn completely off foundations)
- Power: 120,000+ customers without electricity across Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, and Maui counties
- Rainfall:
- Big Island mountains: Over 1,090 mm (43 inches) — that’s nearly 4 feet of rain!
- Maui mountains: Up to 610 mm (24 inches)
- Higher elevations generally: 600+ mm (24+ inches)
- Roads: Record number of closures — landslides, washouts, and collapsed highways
- Flights: 190+ delayed, 52 canceled (airports stayed open)
- Shelters: ~130 people in Big Island shelters Saturday; 8 shelters opened on Oʻahu
- Waves: 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) on east-facing shores
The Most Dramatic Moments
Pāhala Highway Collapse — 2,500 People Cut Off
On the Big Island’s southeast side, the Pāhala highway collapsed Saturday night into Sunday. A swollen stream (Pa’au’au) burst through a rock wall and ate the road alive.
Resident Deborah Funai Brown (lifelong Pāhala resident):
"It’s catastrophic. We’re always isolated out here in the middle of nowhere… you feel forgotten when you’re here, like we’re alone on an island."
Consequences:
- Cut off access to one of the region’s only hospitals
- Created a new waterfall where the road used to be
- Damaged small bridges and knocked out power
Elderly Woman Rescued from a Tree
Governor Josh Green confirmed rescue teams saved an elderly woman clinging to a tree after her entire house was washed away.
Vehicles Trapped in Floodwaters
- Multiple water rescues performed
- At least one car accident (initially blamed on storm, later unclear)
- One person found deceased during storm (cause and storm connection unclear)
Why Was Lala So Unusual for Hawaii?
The "Super El Niño" + Marine Heat Wave Combo
Normal pattern: Storms approaching Hawaii usually hit cooler ocean water and weaken.
This time: Lala stayed strong because:
- Marine heat wave — unusually warm water stretching from Hawaii to California
- Developing Super El Niño — a climate pattern that:
- Warms Pacific Ocean temperatures
- Weakens high-altitude winds that normally tear storms apart
NOAA Prediction: 5–13 cyclones for Central Pacific this season (above normal)
Historical Context: Hawaii Rarely Gets Hit Directly
- Last tropical storm landfall: Olivia (2018) on Maui — first since 1950s records began
- Last hurricane landfall: Iniki (1992) — Category 4, hit Kauai, strongest ever recorded hitting Hawaii
- Lala did NOT make direct landfall — its center stayed offshore, but the eyewall brushed the Big Island
What’s Happening Now? (Monday Morning Update)
Good News
- Storm moving westward away from islands
- Worst conditions have passed
- Airports remain open
- Damage assessment beginning today
Still Dangerous — Stay Alert!
- Tropical Storm Warnings still active for: Kauai, Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kahoʻolawe
- Up to 152 mm (6 inches) more rain expected on Kauai
- Heavy rain statewide through Monday
- Deadly hazards persist:
- Flooded roads and areas
- Downed power lines (assume ALL are live!)
- Unstable ground — more landslides possible
- Road closures — stay off roads unless essential
The Biggest Challenges Ahead
1. Restoring Power
Major General Stephen F. Logan (Hawaii National Guard):
"The biggest challenge… is removing the downed trees from the storm."
- Crews can’t fix lines until trees are cleared
- Record prolonged outages reported
- Active-duty military on standby to help if needed
2. Post-Storm Safety — The Hidden Danger
Randy Collins (Honolulu Emergency Management):
"Many casualties happen AFTER the disaster… chainsaws, generators, heavy machinery, downed power lines. Please clean up SAFELY."
Common post-storm injuries:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning (generators indoors)
- Chainsaw accidents
- Electrocution from downed lines
- Heat exhaustion during cleanup
- Falls on unstable ground
How to Stay Safe Right Now — A Checklist
If You’re in Hawaii:
- Stay indoors until officials say it’s safe
- Avoid all flooded areas — 6 inches of moving water knocks you down; 1 foot floats a car
- Treat every downed wire as LIVE — stay 30+ feet away
- Don’t drive unless emergency — roads may be washed out underneath
- Use generators OUTSIDE only — 20+ feet from windows/doors
- Check on neighbors — especially elderly or vulnerable
- Document damage (photos/video) for insurance
- Follow official sources — not rumors!
If You Have Loved Ones There:
- Text, don’t call — saves battery and network capacity
- Red Cross Safe & Well website for check-ins
- Patience — communications may be spotty
Summary: The Big Picture
| What Happened | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Cat 1 hurricane brushed Big Island | Rare close call for Hawaii |
| 43+ inches of rain in mountains | Historic flooding, landslides |
| 100+ homes damaged/destroyed | Long recovery for families |
| 120,000+ without power | Days to weeks for full restoration |
| Highway collapsed, 2,500 isolated | Critical infrastructure vulnerability |
| Storm moving west, warnings remain | Danger not over — rain continues |
Bottom line: Hawaii dodged a direct hit, but Lala’s "glancing blow" delivered a knockout punch of rain and wind. The recovery will take time, and the most dangerous period may be the cleanup days ahead.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Did Hurricane Lala make landfall in Hawaii?
No. The storm’s center (eye) stayed about 30 miles (48 km) south of the Big Island. However, the eyewall (strongest winds) brushed the southern coast, and the storm’s massive rain bands engulfed the entire state.
Why did Lala get so strong near Hawaii?
Two rare factors teamed up: a marine heat wave (unusually warm ocean water) and a developing Super El Niño. Normally, cooler waters near Hawaii weaken storms. This time, the water stayed warm enough to fuel Lala all the way to Category 1.
When will power be back?
No official timeline yet. The main obstacle is thousands of downed trees blocking access to power lines. Crews are working, and military help is on standby. Think days to weeks, not hours — especially in hard-hit, remote areas.
Is it safe to go outside now?
Not yet in many areas. Even though the storm has passed, hazards include: live power lines hidden in debris, weakened trees ready to fall, roads that look fine but have washed-out foundations, and continuing flash flood risk. Wait for official "all clear" from your county.
How can I help?
- If local: Check on neighbors, avoid roads, don’t self-deploy to disaster areas (gets in pros’ way)
- If distant: Donate cash (not goods) to Red Cross, Hawaii Community Foundation, or Maui United Way — cash lets orgs buy exactly what’s needed locally
- Everyone: Amplify official info only — rumor control saves lives
This is a developing story. For the latest official updates, follow:
- National Weather Service Honolulu (@NWSHonolulu)
- Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (@Hawaii_EMA)
- Your county’s Civil Defense / Emergency Management social media
Article written in plain language for easy understanding. All information sourced from CNN reporting on August 16–17, 2026. For official emergency instructions, always defer to local authorities.