Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, August 15, 2026, avoiding landfall. The storm brought strong winds and drenching rain, leading to flooded roads and swollen rivers.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green confirmed that at least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. Approximately 60,000 households experienced temporary power outages, 19 roofs were lost, and 190 flights were postponed.
Despite not making landfall, hurricane-force winds were expected to persist into the overnight hours, with higher terrain areas likely to experience the strongest gusts. Heavy rainfall into Sunday could lead to flooding and mudslides, while powerful waves were anticipated to impact the coast.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau as the storm moves west. Forecasters indicated that higher elevations on the Big Island, particularly around Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 25 inches (63.5cm) of rain, potentially causing life-threatening mudslides.