Hurricane Lala Nears Hawaii: Big Island Faces Direct Hit
Hawaii – Hurricane Lala has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane while closing in on Hawaii. The Big Island faces the possibility of a direct hit Saturday, while Maui, Oahu, Waikiki and the other Hawaiian Islands are not currently expected to take a direct hit but could still see heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and dangerous ocean conditions.
Hurricane Lala strengthened Saturday as it approached the southern end of Hawaii’s Big Island, putting residents, visitors and Hawaii’s tourism industry on alert as potentially dangerous weather spreads across the state.
Lala’s maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph (121 km/h), making it a Category 1 hurricane as it approached Hawaii Island. The storm was close enough Saturday for tropical-storm-force conditions to begin affecting the Big Island, with hurricane conditions expected later in the day.
The greatest danger is to the Big Island of Hawaii, where Lala could pass over or extremely close to the island. The latest forecasts indicate the storm’s center should then track south of the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.
That means Maui, Oahu — including Honolulu and Waikiki — and Kauai are not currently expected to receive a direct hurricane hit. This does not mean those islands are out of danger.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in Maui County Saturday and Saturday night, followed by Oahu Saturday night into Sunday and Kauai County on Sunday. Heavy rain, strong and potentially damaging wind gusts, dangerous surf and localized flooding remain possible well away from Lala’s center.
Rainfall may become the most dangerous aspect of Lala.
Forecasts call for rainfall totals potentially reaching 25 inches in isolated areas of the Big Island, creating a serious threat of flash flooding, landslides and mudslides, particularly across mountainous terrain.
The rest of Hawaii will also feel Lala.
Maui could experience substantial rainfall, particularly on windward and eastern slopes, while several inches of rain are possible elsewhere across the island chain. Even without a hurricane landfall on Maui or Oahu, intense tropical rain can overwhelm streams and drainage systems quickly.
Visitors staying in Waikiki and elsewhere on Oahu should therefore not interpret the forecast track as an “all clear.” Conditions can vary dramatically depending on Lala’s exact path and the location of its rain bands.
Hawaii has painful experience with hurricanes that never make a direct strike.
In August 2023, Hurricane Dora passed hundreds of miles south of Hawaii. Yet the atmospheric conditions associated with Dora contributed to exceptionally strong winds across the state as devastating wildfires erupted on Maui.
The Lahaina disaster killed more than 100 people and destroyed much of the historic town.
The lesson remains particularly relevant as Lala approaches: a hurricane does not have to make landfall on an island to create catastrophic consequences.
Heavy rain can trigger flash floods and landslides. Strong winds can topple trees and power lines, disrupt communications and complicate emergency response. Large swells can make beaches and coastal areas dangerous even when skies appear relatively calm.
A hurricane landfall in Hawaii remains an exceptionally rare event.
Lala’s approach is particularly significant for Hawaii Island. The Big Island is under a hurricane warning, and officials have been preparing for the possibility of hurricane-force winds, destructive flooding and widespread disruptions.
Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauai in September 1992 and remains the last hurricane to make landfall anywhere in the State of Hawaii at hurricane strength.
If Lala reaches the Big Island as a hurricane, it would therefore mark an extraordinary moment in Hawaii’s modern hurricane history.
The storm is already disrupting Hawaii’s critical air transportation network.
Flight cancellations have been reported across the state, with Hilo particularly affected. Hawaii transportation officials moved to close Hilo International Airport and announced the closure of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole as conditions deteriorated Saturday.
Travelers flying to, from or between the Hawaiian Islands should check directly with their airlines before heading to an airport.
Even airports far from the storm’s center can experience delays and cancellations as aircraft and crews are repositioned and strong winds, thunderstorms and deteriorating visibility affect operations.
For Hawaii’s largest tourism center, Waikiki, the current forecast is considerably less severe than for the Big Island.
Lala is not expected to make a direct hurricane strike on Oahu based on the current forecast track. However, tropical storm conditions are expected to become possible on Oahu Saturday night and Sunday. (Maui Now)
Visitors should be prepared for periods of heavy rain and strong winds and should exercise particular caution around beaches and the ocean as swells generated by Lala affect the islands.
Conditions could change quickly if the hurricane’s track shifts.
Maui is likewise not expected to receive a direct hurricane hit under the current forecast. However, Maui County is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, including strong winds and potentially heavy rainfall. That distinction is important for travelers: no direct hit does not mean no impact.
Road flooding, falling branches, power outages, flight interruptions and dangerous surf can occur hundreds of miles from a hurricane’s center.
Hawaii residents and visitors should continue following official warnings from the National Weather Service, Hawaii emergency management authorities and county officials throughout the weekend.
With Lala now a hurricane and the Big Island facing the most serious tropical cyclone threat in years, Saturday and Sunday could become a major test for Hawaii’s emergency preparedness — and another reminder that in the Hawaiian Islands, even a near miss can have far-reaching consequences.
Reporting originally appeared via eTurboNews. Read the full source for additional context.