Tropical Storm Lala Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala caused widespread destruction across Hawaii over the weekend, leaving at least 100 homes damaged or destroyed and causing significant power outages. At the peak of the storm, Hawaiian Electric reported that approximately 250,900 customers were without power, though that number dropped to under 180,000 by Sunday evening and remained above 120,000 into Monday. The storm, which had previously been a hurricane, passed approximately 48 to 90 kilometers south of the Big Island, bringing destructive winds and massive rainfall. In some mountainous areas of the Big Island, rainfall totals exceeded 1,090 mm, while Maui recorded up to 600 mm.

Governor Josh Green reported that the storm caused a car accident resulting in one death, although he later noted it was unclear if the fatality was directly related to the storm. A second person was found dead, but the cause and connection to the storm remain unconfirmed. Emergency operations involved the National Guard and Coast Guard in search and rescue efforts, including the rescue of an elderly woman whose home was swept away by floodwaters. Infrastructure damage was severe on the Big Island, where sections of the Pāhala highway collapsed, leaving approximately 2,500 residents isolated and blocking access to a regional hospital.

While the storm center moved west and airports reopened, authorities warned of ongoing risks from landslides, fallen power lines, and flooding. Governor Green announced that state and county offices, schools, and courts would remain closed on Monday. The National Weather Service had previously issued a flash flood emergency for parts of the main island, describing the flooding situation as catastrophic.