Full Breakdown
Hurricane Lala’s Devastation and the Looming Tropical Threat to Hawaii
8/21/2026, 3:51:23 AM
Core Event: Lala’s Impact and an Emerging System
Last weekend’s Hurricane Lala ripped roofs, uprooted trees and deposited mud across Hawaii’s main islands. The Category 3 storm with 115 mph sustained winds caused two deaths and left thousands without electricity. Within days, forecasters identified a new disturbance—initially Tropical Depression Two-C, later expected to become Tropical Storm Moke—that could bring additional rain, flooding and landslides to the already saturated islands.
Background & Context
Lala was the first major hurricane of 2026 in the Central Pacific, forming in the western Pacific before moving toward Hawaii. Although it never made official landfall, wind gusts reached 140 mph on Mauna Kea and the heaviest rainfall of the season—over 43 inches at Laupahoehoe on the Big Island—saturated soils and set the stage for the new threat.
Data & Statistics
- Power outages: Hawaiian Electric reported about 13,200 customers without power on the Big Island; USA TODAY’s tracker later recorded roughly 20,000 statewide, about 5 % of the total.
- Structural damage: Dozens of homes were washed from foundations, bridges were damaged, and a collapsed two-lane road cut off access to Pahala. Authorities noted at least 100 homes damaged or destroyed across the state.
- Rainfall: The National Weather Service measured 43.54 inches (1.1 m) at Laupahoehoe; forecasts for the new system predict 5–15 inches on the Big Island and up to 5 inches on other islands.
- Wind: Gusts reached 140 mph atop Mauna Kea; tropical-storm-force winds of 30–40 mph were reported island-wide.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Josh Green briefed the public on recovery efforts and the potential new cyclone. Hawaiian Electric said repairs in heavily damaged areas could take at least two weeks.
Kevin O’Brien, president of the nonprofit Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project, noted his crew’s decision to move out of Lala’s projected path, underscoring the region’s hurricane-season vigilance.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents recounted the loss of May Doi, a 93-year-old former kindergarten teacher who tried to reach a shelter as floodwaters rose. Community member ‘Aina Akamu, a vice principal, described Doi as “a fixture in this community.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Power outage figures vary: Hawaiian Electric cites 13,200 customers, USA TODAY lists roughly 20,000, and an earlier ABC News count mentions “nearly 15,000 homes and businesses” still dark.
- Household impact estimates differ, with ABC News reporting “over 126,000 households without power” and USA TODAY noting “about 20,000 electrical customers” offline.
- Rainfall projections for the new system range from 5 inches to 15 inches on the Big Island, reflecting divergent model outputs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The strong El Niño is definitely rearing its head," Hazelton said in his X post.” — Andy Hazelton, associate scientist at the University of Miami, posted on X
What’s Next
The NHC issued its first advisory on Tropical Depression Two-C, forecasting a west-northwest track that could bring the system near or south of the Big Island by the weekend. Models diverge on the exact path; officials advise residents to monitor updates, prepare for additional flash floods and landslides, and stay ready for possible power outages as the system intensifies.
