Hurricane Lala threatened Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday with the possibility of a direct hit, marking the first time the island could face a hurricane landfall in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala had strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 km/h. The eyewall was projected to pass over or near the southern part of the island by evening, bringing the most severe winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Experts warned that the island’s higher elevations, notably around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, potentially leading to life-threatening mudslides in mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift homes off the grid. Authorities advised these individuals to seek safe shelter promptly.
Residents like Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong Big Island inhabitant, prepared for the storm by securing essentials and hoping for minimal disruptions at a care home near Hilo. Gas stations experienced high traffic as people stocked up on fuel for chainsaws and vehicles to brace for the impact.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green characterized the approaching storm as significant, emphasizing the risks of destructive flooding and potential wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Power outages affected 10 percent of customers on the Big Island, as reported by poweroutage.us.
In Keaau, local fire captain Mike Caputo expressed concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the albizia trees known for their large but fragile nature. Caputo took precautions by trimming his trees in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings were issued for several other Hawaiian islands. According to historical data, a Category 3 hurricane struck the northeast corner of the Big Island in 1871. The latest forecasts suggested that Lala would make landfall very close to the island’s southern tip.
Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to keep their cattle in pastures rather than structures prone to collapse. The National Weather Service meteorologist in Honolulu, Vanessa Almanza, cautioned that the potential damage from the storm did not necessarily require a direct landfall.
Officials forecasted total rainfall amounts ranging from 20.3 to 30.5 centimeters across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, with 10.2 to 15.2 centimeters expected across the entire island chain.
State Representative Jeanné Kapela urged residents to take the storm seriously, especially those in the remote and rural southern regions of the island. Concerns were raised for individuals living off the grid or in vulnerable housing structures.
The heightened winds posed an increased risk of wildfires due to dry conditions, as highlighted by meteorologist Vanessa Almanza. The town of Lahaina on Maui experienced a devastating fire during extreme winds in 2023, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and awareness in such situations.
Reflecting on past disasters, residents like Archie Kalepa from Lahaina stressed the importance of vigilance and understanding weather patterns to mitigate risks. The memory of Hurricane Iniki’s destructive impact in 1992 on Kauai served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of storms and their potential devastation.
The historical context of past hurricanes in Hawaii and the current threats posed by Hurricane Lala underscored the need for residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential hazards.