Hawaii Island Shuts Down Tuesday While Other Counties Reopen
Hurricane Lala Cleanup: Hawaii Island Stays Closed While Other Islands Reopen
What Happened?
Hurricane Lala swept through Hawaii, leaving a big mess behind. Because of the damage, Hawaii Island (also called the Big Island) will keep all public schools, county offices, and state offices closed on Tuesday. The rest of the state will reopen as normal.
Governor Josh Green and Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda shared this news during a press conference on Monday.
Why Is Hawaii Island Staying Closed?
Important Point: Keeping roads empty helps workers fix things faster!
Officials explained that empty roads are critical for two reasons:
- Power crews need clear streets to repair damaged power lines
- Road crews need space to clear fallen trees and debris
Mayor Alameda said: "Our electrical utility company cannot really fix the power if there’s so much traffic. Being off the road really helps our road crew repair those roads as well."
Power Outage Numbers
- More than 100,000 families across Hawaii were still without power on Monday
- Utility companies expect significant power restoration Monday night into Tuesday
- Read more about the power outages
What About the Other Islands?
| Island/County | Status for Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Hawaii Island (Big Island) | CLOSED – Schools, state & county offices |
| Honolulu (Oahu) | OPEN |
| Maui County | OPEN |
| Kauaʻi County | OPEN |
Note: Some individual schools on other islands might close if they have specific power problems. Governor Green said they’ll announce those case-by-case.
Help for Government Workers
Governor Green announced that state and county employees who need to stay home because their kids’ schools are closed will:
- Get personal leave
- Not face any penalties for missing work
Summary
- Hurricane Lala caused widespread damage across Hawaii
- Hawaii Island stays closed Tuesday for cleanup and power restoration
- Empty roads help utility and road crews work faster and safer
- 100,000+ families lost power; restoration underway
- Other islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai) reopen Tuesday
- Government workers with childcare needs get protected leave
FAQ
1. Why is only Hawaii Island closed?
Hawaii Island had the worst damage from Hurricane Lala. The roads need to stay clear so crews can restore power and clear debris safely.
2. When will power come back?
Utility companies say a "significant portion" should be restored Monday night through Tuesday, but some areas may take longer.
3. What if my child’s school on another island closes?
Individual schools may close due to localized power outages. Check with your specific school or district for updates.
4. I work for the state/county on Hawaii Island. Do I go to work Tuesday?
No — state and county offices on Hawaii Island are closed. If you’re on another island, your office is open unless told otherwise.
5. Can I drive around Hawaii Island to check on things?
Please stay off the roads! Traffic blocks repair crews. Only drive if it’s an absolute emergency.
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