Hawaii Tribune-Herald
"Lala lashes Hawaii Island-landfall as a category 1 hurricane possible later today."
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 15 August 2026, 1652 UTC.
Content and Source: "Hawaii Tribune-Herald: Today's Front Page."
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2026/08/15/hawaii-news/lala-lashes-hawaii-island-landfall-as-a-hurricane-possible-later-today/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking
Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections. You can find recent posts in the "Archive" section of this blog. Thanks for joining us today.
Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).
Lala lashes Hawaii Island; landfall as a Category 1 hurricane possible later today
Lala, a powerful tropical storm, could become the first hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii Island in over 150 years later today as it continues on a path near or over the southern end of the island.
Big Island residents are advised to stay sheltered, while the rest of the state is advised to make final emergency preparations for Lala’s high winds and heavy rains as the storm passes south of the smaller islands through the weekend.
Hawaii Island is already feeling the effects of Lala as heavy rain, life-threatening surf and powerful wind gusts lash the area. The risk of flooding and mudslides is most imminent on the Big Island, but all state residents and visitors should expect potentially dangerous weather through Sunday.
As of 5 a.m. today, Lala was about 110 miles southeast of South Point and 325 miles southeast of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and higher gusts, moving west-northwest at 13 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend 205 miles from the center.
“Strong tropical-storm-force wind gusts are occurring on the Hawaiian islands from the Big Island to Oahu,” CPHC forecasters said this morning.
They said that forecast models suggest that Lala’s center may get pulled northwest into or near the Big Island by this afternoon.
The storm is forecast to peak at 75 mph maximum sustained winds by this afternoon, making it barely a Category 1 hurricane. But forecasters warn that there is “no practical difference” between a strong tropical storm and minimal hurricane, “especially since hurricane-force gusts are expected on the Big Island regardless.”
”Lala has about 12 hours left for some strengthening before the center reaches the Big Island, and the (National Hurricane Center) forecast continues to show the storm becoming a hurricane near the southern coast of the Big Island.”
Lala is expected to weaken after its circulation interacts with the Big Island, and it will turn west on Sunday with an increase in forward speed, and the core of the storm staying south of remainder of the main Hawaiian islands, they said.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Hawaii County. The entire state is under a flood watch, and a high surf warning is in effect for the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. The National Weather Service said there was a report of waves crashing over condominiums in Keauhou.
Hurricane-force gusts are expected on the Big Island today, with the strongest winds possible in higher elevations.
The Big Island could receive 10 to 20 inches of rain, with some areas getting up to 25 inches. The heavy rain could cause dangerous flooding and mudslides, especially in areas near steep slopes.
Surf already is building along east-facing shores and is expected to increase along south-facing shores as Lala moves south of the islands. The waves could create dangerous rip currents, coastal flooding and beach erosion.
The last hurricane to directly hit Hawaii Island is believed to be in August 1871. Lala would also be the first hurricane to directly hit the state since 1992 when the deadly Category 4 Iniki devastated Kauai.
If Lala’s center moves over the Big Island as expected, it will be the first direct strike of a tropical cyclone for the island since Darby in 2016, which was a minimal tropical storm when it crossed the southern end of Hawaii Island.
The more-powerful Tropical Storm Iselle in 2014 also hit the southern end of the island directly, causing millions of dollars in widespread damage and long-lasting power outages throughout the island.
The county at 6 p.m. Friday opened emergency shelters islandwide. They are:
— Hisaoka Gym in North Kohala
— Waikoloa Elementary School Cafeteria, Waikoloa Village
— Kahilu Town Hall, Waimea
— Honokaa Armory, Honokaa
— Laupahoehoe Charter School Band Room, Laupahoehoe
— Waiakea High School Gymnasium, Hilo
— Keaau Armory, Keaau
— Pahoa Community Center, Pahoa
— Pahala Gymnasium, Pahala
— Naalehu Elementary School Gymnasium, Naalehu
— Yano Hall, Captain Cook
— Kealakehe High School Gymnasium, Kailua-Kona
Anyone using the shelters should bring their own personal and sleeping supplies, officials said.
All the shelters are pet-friendly, the county said, but animals must be in a carrier.
Comments
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment about this post.