HawaiiHurricanesEmergency PreparednessTravel DisruptionsWeatherFlooding
A Historic Storm on the Horizon
Hawaii is facing a meteorological event that has no precedent in its recorded history. As of Friday morning, Tropical Storm Lala was churning over 500 miles east-southeast of the Big Island, accelerating toward the west-northwest with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island, signaling the very real possibility that Lala will make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday afternoon. If it does, it will mark the first hurricane-strength landfall on the island since modern records began in 1900. The storm, currently disorganized and lopsided due to wind shear, is forecast to strengthen as it approaches, though AccuWeather Meteorologist Nicholas Arman notes the exact track is pivotal—a more southern path over warmer waters increases the chance of intensification, while a track closer to the islands could weaken it.
Emergency Declarations and Community Shelters
With the threat level escalating, Governor Josh Green has signed an emergency proclamation declaring a state of emergency for the entire state. County officials are moving quickly; the Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Dr. Kimo Alameda, urged residents to act now, stating, "This is a quickly evolving situation and we urge our residents to act now to prepare for the storm by checking your emergency supplies, securing your property, and contacting neighbors who may need assistance." The county will open community shelters at twelve locations starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 14. These range from the Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium in Kapaʻau and the Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria to the Waiākea High School Gym in Hilo and the Kealakehe High School Gym in Kailua-Kona. Residents are instructed to bring their own food, water, and necessary medication. The county has also canceled all camping permits for Friday and Saturday night, along with public events like the Hawaiʻi Island Agrifood Summit and the Island Showdown at Hilo Drag Strip.
Airlines Navigate Schedule Chaos
The travel industry is scrambling to adjust as the storm disrupts plans for thousands of passengers. Hawaiian Airlines has begun reducing its interisland schedule, starting with flights to and from Hilo on Friday afternoon. "We are canceling some flights," said Alex Da Silva, a Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson, advising travelers with bookings through the weekend to "keep a close eye on your flight status." Major mainland carriers are also issuing waivers. American Airlines is offering change-fee waivers for all fare classes booked to Honolulu, Kahului/Maui, Kona, or Lihue/Kauai—provided tickets were purchased by August 11, 2026, for travel between August 14 and 17. United Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences for flights to the same Hawaiian airports scheduled between August 14 and 16, allowing rebooking on flights departing up to August 23. Passengers are advised to check their tickets online before calling customer service, as the waivers differ significantly by airline.
Rain, Wind, and the Threat of Flooding
While the wind is the headline threat, the National Hurricane Center warns that the most destructive element may be the rain. Heavy rainfall is expected to begin on the Big Island Friday, spreading across the island chain over the weekend, with some areas forecast to receive as much as 25 inches. Forecast winds in and near active tropical cyclones should be used with caution due to uncertainty in track and intensity, but strong tropical-storm-force winds of up to 73 mph are anticipated, with the most severe gusts in areas of higher terrain. The combination of saturated ground and high winds is expected to cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides. Large, dangerous waves are also projected, particularly along exposed southern shores, bringing the risk of coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. The storm is expected to move west of the islands by Monday, where it will remain over the central and western Pacific as a hurricane or typhoon for over a week, far from land.
Timing Your Travel and Preparedness
As the storm approaches, preparedness efforts are stepping up. County officials emphasize acting immediately, with Mayor Kimo Alameda urging residents to “check your emergency supplies, secure your property, and contact neighbors who may need assistance.” He warned that “a slight change in its track can greatly enhance rain and wind hazards,” so residents should be ready to hunker down. The storm’s eventual strength hinges on its path—a more southern track over warmer waters increases the chance of hurricane intensity. Forecasters expect Lala to reach the Big Island by Saturday afternoon, then continue westward over the Pacific by Monday. The National Hurricane Center expects Lala to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches, with a hurricane warning in effect for the Big Island and a tropical storm watch for Maui County. With conditions expected to deteriorate from Friday evening, those on the Big Island should finalize any necessary preparations and plan to stay put through the weekend.