Story perspectives

Green and Alameda Order August 17 Closures Amid Power Loss

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Josh Green said Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 storm that passed within 35 miles of Hawai‘i Island, caused extensive damage and power outages.
The storm dumped over 43 inches of rain in Laupahoehoe, more than 30 inches elsewhere, and damaged over 100 homes and six bridges in Ka‘u District.
Governor Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda ordered all state and county offices and schools closed on August 17, 2026, extending the closure on August 18 for Hawai‘i Island while over 100,000 families stayed without electricity.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai with Category 4 winds, causing $3.1 billion in damage and seven deaths—the costliest disaster in Hawaii at the time. Governor John Waihee’s emergency declaration and the 1993 Hurricane Relief Fund reshaped island preparedness. Today Governor Josh Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda invoke those lessons as they order islandwide closures after Hurricane Lala.

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Story summary

Governor Josh Green said Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 storm that passed within 35 miles of Hawai‘i Island, caused extensive damage and power outages.
The storm dumped over 43 inches of rain in Laupahoehoe, more than 30 inches elsewhere, and damaged over 100 homes and six bridges in Ka‘u District.
Governor Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda ordered all state and county offices and schools closed on August 17, 2026, extending the closure on August 18 for Hawai‘i Island while over 100,000 families stayed without electricity.

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