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Hurricane Lala Kills 90-Year-Old; 100,000 Without Power

8/19/2026

25 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Governor Green Responds

Governor Josh Green said Hurricane Lala killed a 90-year-old woman on the Big Island and that recovery will be brisk.
Hawaiian Electric said over 100,000 customers lacked power Monday.
Adjutant General Stephen Logan reported roughly 240 National Guard members, including 60 in Hawaii County, were activated.
State officials released $3 million for recovery while shelters housed about 100 people Monday night, down from 400 the night before.

Summary

Lala Floods

Tropical Storm Lala dropped 43.55 inches of rain at Laupahoehoe, placing it among the U.S.’s ten wettest tropical cyclones.
NOAA warned the El Niño behind Lala has a 69% chance of becoming historic, raising Pacific hurricane risk.
Governor Josh Green estimated statewide damage at hundreds of millions of dollars.
More than 200 flights were canceled as the Punalu‘u Bake Shop in Na‘alehu was inundated with three feet of mud.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai as a Category 4 storm, killing six and causing $3.1 billion in damage, leading Governor John Waihee to declare emergency and prompting FEMA and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center to improve warnings. In 2024 Governor Josh Green sent 240 National Guard troops and $3 million for power restoration after Hurricane Lala, reflecting those lasting reforms.

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Governor Green Responds

Governor Josh Green said Hurricane Lala killed a 90-year-old woman on the Big Island and that recovery will be brisk.
Hawaiian Electric said over 100,000 customers lacked power Monday.
Adjutant General Stephen Logan reported roughly 240 National Guard members, including 60 in Hawaii County, were activated.
State officials released $3 million for recovery while shelters housed about 100 people Monday night, down from 400 the night before.

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