Hurricane Lala headed towards Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday with a potential path for landfall, marking the island’s first direct hurricane hit in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported Lala’s sustained winds reaching 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eyewall was expected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip by evening, bringing the strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists predicted that higher elevations on the island, particularly around the Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, raising concerns about life-threatening mudslides in mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift dwellings off the grid. Authorities advised these residents to quickly seek safe shelter.
Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong Big Island resident, shared his plans to “hunker down, hope for the best, and pray the power stays on” at a care facility near Hilo. He noted the increased activity at gas stations as people prepared by stocking up on fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, emphasizing the island’s culture of self-reliance.
Hawaiian Governor Josh Green described the approaching storm as “enormous,” cautioning about potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Approximately 10% of Big Island residents experienced power outages, according to data from poweroutage.us.
Mike Caputo, a Keaau resident on the island’s east coast, expressed concerns about flash floods and fallen trees, particularly the albizia species known for its large size but weak structure. Caputo, a 50-year-old local fire captain, had already trimmed his trees to prevent road blockages.
A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, with tropical storm warnings in place for other Hawaiian islands. Lala was projected to make landfall very close to the Big Island’s southern tip, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Vanessa Almanza in Honolulu.
Shelters were activated, events canceled, and ranchers advised to leave cattle in open pastures to avoid collapsing structures. Almanza highlighted the potential for significant rainfall across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, with varying levels of precipitation expected throughout the island chain.
State Representative Jeanné Kapela stressed the importance of taking the storm seriously, especially for residents in the remote and rural southern region of the Big Island, known for its agricultural activities and growing population due to affordability. Concerns were raised about off-grid residents and those with vulnerable housing structures.
The elevated winds accompanying the storm raised wildfire risks due to dry and breezy conditions. Almanza noted the potential for increased fire concerns outside the storm’s immediate impact. The community of Lahaina on Maui, which experienced wildfires in 2023 during hurricane-associated winds, remained vigilant about weather-related risks.
Reflecting on past hurricane impacts, such as Hurricane Iniki in 1992 on Kauai, University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist Steven Businger highlighted the unpredictability of storms and their potential for significant damage. The historical context of severe hurricane impacts underscored the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the face of natural disasters.