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Governor Declares Emergency as Hurricane Lala Nears Big Island

8/16/2026

29 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Green Declares Emergency

Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency Saturday as Hurricane Lala neared the Big Island.
The National Hurricane Center warned of 10-20 inches of rain on the Big Island, 25 inches locally.
More than 42,000 customers lost power, including about 31,800 on the Big Island and 7,200 in Maui.
Wind gusts hit 154 mph on Mauna Kea and 85-90 mph elsewhere, while storm surge of 1-3 feet with 8-12-foot waves threatened coastal flooding.

Summary

HECO Cuts Wildfire

HECO upgraded 1,650 poles and trimmed 850 lines to lower wildfire risk after Maui fires.
The utility can issue a 24- to 48-hour Public Safety Power Shutoff in leeward zones like Kawaihae when drought, winds >=45 mph and humidity <=45 % align.
500 staff and contractors are on standby across three counties, with 24/7 crews from O‘ahu while Senior VP Jim Alberts confirmed no customers lost power through the PSPS program.

History

Historical Context

After Hurricane Iniki slammed Kauai in September 1992, delivering Category 4 winds, killing seven people and inflicting $3.1 billion in damage, Governor John Waihee declared a state of emergency and mobilized FEMA, the National Weather Service and Hawaiian Electric Industries. The disaster spurred the 1993 Hurricane Relief Fund and lasting grid-resilience planning, shaping Governor Josh Green and HECO’s response to the looming Hurricane Lala.

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Green Declares Emergency

Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency Saturday as Hurricane Lala neared the Big Island.
The National Hurricane Center warned of 10-20 inches of rain on the Big Island, 25 inches locally.
More than 42,000 customers lost power, including about 31,800 on the Big Island and 7,200 in Maui.
Wind gusts hit 154 mph on Mauna Kea and 85-90 mph elsewhere, while storm surge of 1-3 feet with 8-12-foot waves threatened coastal flooding.

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