Hurricane Lala Skirts Hawaii’s Big Island as Storm Hits

By Aurax Radio | August 16, 2026 | 2 min read

Hurricane Lala brought damaging winds, heavy rain and dangerous surf to Hawaii after passing close to the Big Island without making landfall. Authorities warned of flash flooding, landslides and continued hazardous conditions as the Category 1 storm moved westward toward the other islands.

Floodwater on Hawaii’s Big Island during Hurricane Lala, with storm debris visible nearby.

Heavy rain and strong winds from Hurricane Lala cause flooding and infrastructure damage on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Lala’s center passed south of Hawaii Island on Saturday, with the storm’s strongest conditions affecting southern and eastern areas of the island. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said the hurricane had sustained winds of about 80 mph and was producing heavy rain, with localized totals of up to 20 inches possible in parts of the Big Island and Maui. Officials warned that winds could damage weaker structures, uproot trees and disrupt electricity, while high surf approaching 30 feet and storm surge of up to 3 feet posed additional risks along exposed coastlines. The storm also prompted widespread travel disruptions and power outages as residents were urged to remain sheltered and avoid unnecessary travel.

The storm was expected to weaken as it moved northwest and passed south of the remaining Hawaiian islands, but authorities maintained tropical storm warnings for Maui County, Oahu and Kauai. Emergency officials continued to warn of heavy rainfall, flash flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas, as Lala's effects spread across the state. The storm was closely watched because Hawaii rarely experiences direct hurricane impacts; before Lala, the Big Island had not experienced a hurricane landfall since 1871, although storms such as Hurricane Iniki caused major damage elsewhere in the state in 1992. The immediate focus remained on flooding, infrastructure damage and restoring power as hazardous conditions continued.

Sources: BBC, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, CNN, Associated Press and Reuters.

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