Hurricane Lala passes Hawaii's Big Island bringing heavy rain and wind

Hurricane Lala passed over the southern tip of Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday without making landfall. The storm reached Category 1 strength as it approached the island before moving away on Sunday as a tropical storm. Governor Josh Green reported that at least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area and several roofs were blown off. More than 60,000 utility customers across the state lost power, including over 31,000 on the Big Island.

Tropical storm conditions continued to spread west toward Maui, Oahu, and Kauai on Sunday. The National Hurricane Center warned that the region could receive 10 to 20 inches of rain, with some areas seeing up to 25 inches. This rainfall created risks of life threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. Additionally, a storm surge of one to three feet and dangerous waves were expected. Governor Green declared a state of emergency and urged residents to shelter in place. Authorities closed Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.

Meteorologists noted that the storm's arrival coincides with a powerful El Nino event, which can increase Pacific hurricane activity. While the storm did not make a direct hit, the National Weather Service warned that dry and breezy conditions outside the storm could increase the risk of wildfires. This follows the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina. Hawaii has not seen a major hurricane landfall since Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai in 1992.