Hurricane Lala knocks out power for thousands in Hawaii, airports close
Hurricane Lala brought strong winds and heavy rain to Hawaii on Saturday, August 15, 2026, leaving more than 40,000 utility customers without electricity as the National Hurricane Center warned of severe flooding and mudslides.
According to the website poweroutage.com, 42,889 customers were without power as of 2:14 p.m. HST (0014 GMT on Sunday). The largest number of outages was on the Big Island, with 31,792 customers affected, while Maui County – which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai – reported 7,203 outages.
The hurricane center's advisory at 2 p.m. HST predicted 10 to 20 inches (25.4 to 51 cm) of rain on the Big Island, with a possible maximum of 25 inches. Eastern Maui was forecast to receive 8 to 12 inches, while western Maui was expected to get 4 to 6 inches.
“This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the center said in its advisory.
Hawaiian Electric warned customers to prepare for extended outages, potentially lasting overnight, as the storm moved westward across the state. On the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island, utility crews were assessing a 42-mile (67.6 km) stretch of transmission lines after fallen trees brought down multiple poles and structures, according to Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Darren Pai, who spoke to TV station Hawaii News Now.
Earlier in the day, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Lala's maximum sustained winds had reached 75 mph (120 km/h), classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane.
The Maunakea Weather Center, located on the Big Island's tallest peak, recorded wind gusts exceeding 100 mph through the early afternoon, though winds were likely slower closer to sea level.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the closure of Hilo International Airport and said Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole would close at 2 p.m. HST. The department also shut down commercial ports on Hawaii Island, in Maui County, and on Kaua‘i.
