What You Need to Know
• Tropical Storm Lala caused significant damage in Hawaii, particularly in Waiohinu, where mudslides destroyed around a dozen homes.
• Over 100,000 customers were without power across the Hawaiian Islands as of Monday, following the storm’s impact.
• Lala, which passed 30 miles off the Big Island’s coast, brought wind gusts exceeding 80 mph and heavy rainfall.
On Monday, Tropical Storm Lala continued its westward movement away from Hawaii, leaving behind destruction from heavy rains that affected the islands over the weekend. In Waiohinu, a small community on the southern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island, mudslides resulted in the destruction of approximately a dozen homes. Resident Alice Birnbaum reported that the storm’s aftermath left the community in dire need of essential supplies such as water, propane, gas, and food. Although no hurricane has made direct landfall in Hawaii since Hurricane Iniki in 1992, Lala’s eye passed just 30 miles off the coast, bringing wind gusts over 80 mph and rainfall exceeding 48 inches in some areas, like Kapalua. As of Monday, many residents remained isolated due to washed-away bridges, and all state and county offices were closed.
Why It Matters
The impact of Tropical Storm Lala highlights the vulnerability of Hawaii’s infrastructure to severe weather events. With over 100,000 residents experiencing power outages and communities cut off from emergency services, the situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the islands in disaster preparedness and response. Historically, Hawaii has not experienced a direct hurricane landfall since 1992, making the recent storm a significant event in the context of the state’s weather history. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that Lala may regain strength as it continues across the Pacific, raising concerns about future impacts on the islands.
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