Hurricane Lala targeted Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend, potentially making landfall for the first time in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h. The eyewall was expected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip, bringing intense winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Forecasters warned of significant rainfall, with higher elevations, including the Mauna Kea volcano, possibly receiving up to 63.5 centimeters of rain. This raised concerns about life-threatening mudslides in mountainous areas where residents live in makeshift dwellings. Residents were advised to seek safe shelter promptly.
Local resident Bobby Camara, 75, expressed his preparations for the storm, emphasizing self-reliance in stocking up on essentials. Hawaii Governor Josh Green described Lala as a massive storm, cautioning about potential destructive flooding and wildfires sparked by strong winds. Power outages affected 10% of customers on the Big Island.
Residents like Mike Caputo from Keaau were focused on the risk of flash floods and fallen trees, particularly the large but weak albizia trees. The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings were issued for several other islands in the chain.
Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to leave cattle in pastures to reduce structural collapse risks. The forecast indicated significant rainfall across the islands, with officials urging residents to take the storm seriously.
State Rep. Jeanné Kapela stressed the importance of staying vigilant, especially in remote rural areas. Concerns were raised for off-the-grid residents and those still recovering from previous floods. With windy conditions increasing wildfire risks, precautions were being taken to prevent potential disasters outside the storm’s impact.
Looking back at historical storms like Hurricane Iniki in 1992, experts highlighted the unpredictability of such events. The community remained vigilant, recalling past damages and fatalities caused by severe weather events.
