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Hurricane Lala Hits Hawaii, Leaving 130,000 Without Power

8/16/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lala Strikes

A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, the first since 1871.
The National Hurricane Center said Lala made landfall as a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, weakening to 70 mph.
Lala dropped up to 35 inches (89 cm) of rain, triggering flash-flood and mudslide warnings and one death confirmed by Governor Josh Green on August 15-16, 2026.
The storm left over 130,000 households without power, about 70 % of customers, and damaged 19 roofs.

Summary

Hawaii Guard Deploys

The Hawaii National Guard positioned about 180 personnel statewide, with Task Force Hawai‘i’s 41 members on 24-hour shifts through Monday.
The Department of Transportation closed Hilo and Kona airports at 2 p.m., planning to reopen Sunday, Aug. 16.
State officials urged residents to keep insurance paperwork, photograph damage, and watch for contractor scams before filing claims.

History

Historical Context

In August 2026, Hurricane Lala struck Hawaii’s Big Island as a Category 1 storm, knocking out power to about 130,000 homes and prompting a National Guard response. The event echoes the 1900 Galveston hurricane, which killed roughly 8,000 people, caused $30 million in damage, and spurred the first federal hurricane-relief program that shapes today’s inter-agency coordination and insurance policies.

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Lala Strikes

A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, the first since 1871.
The National Hurricane Center said Lala made landfall as a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, weakening to 70 mph.
Lala dropped up to 35 inches (89 cm) of rain, triggering flash-flood and mudslide warnings and one death confirmed by Governor Josh Green on August 15-16, 2026.
The storm left over 130,000 households without power, about 70 % of customers, and damaged 19 roofs.

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