Hurricane Lala is a currently active tropical cyclone that is threatening Hawaii. The ninth named storm and third hurricane of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season, Lala formed on August 12 from a tropical wave in the central Eastern Pacific, and it steadily intensified for the next couple of days. On August 15, Lala strengthened into a hurricane as it approached Hawaii's Big Island.
Shortly after its formation, tropical cyclone watches and warnings were issued for every island in Hawaii.
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Meteorological history
On August 4, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began noting the potential for a tropical wave located over the central Eastern Pacific for tropical cyclogenesis over the following few days as it moved into a more conducive environment. An area of low pressure developed in association with this tropical wave on August 7 as it was located well to the east-southeast of Hawaii. After several days of slow organization and attaining gale-force winds, at 15:00 UTC on August 13, the system consolidated sufficiently to be designated as a tropical storm and given the name Lala. The storm began to steadily intensify within a mostly favorable environment with mid-level dry air being the only limiting factor for intensification. Deep convection and the strongest sustained winds at this time remained displaced to the north of the center of circulation. Lala remained rather disorganized until late the following day, when the circulation began to compact and deep convection formed closer to the circulation center. On August 15, Lala began to develop an eye-like feature on radar imagery, signaling a return to intensification. At 19:00 UTC that day (9 AM local time) the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) upgraded Lala to a Category 1 hurricane.
Preparations
Upon Lala's formation as a tropical cyclone on the morning of August 13, a hurricane watch was issued for the Big Island. The hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning 12 hours later as confidence in hurricane conditions on the island increased. Maui County was placed under a tropical storm warning before Tropical Storm warnings were expanded to the remainder of the main Hawaiian Islands a few hours later. Flood watches were issued for all of the main Hawaiian Islands as well. A state of emergency was issued by Hawaii Governor Josh Green on August 13, activating emergency funds and the Hawaii National Guard. The mayor of Hawaiʻi County issued an emergency proclamation. The United States Coast Guard declared Port Condition Zulu for commercial harbors on the Island of Hawai’i and Port Condition Yankee for commercial harbors on Maui, declaring high potential for severe weather. Lower ranking port signals were issued for harbors on other islands.
The American Red Cross required refresher training for volunteers to conduct disaster response. The Hawaii State Department of Education closed all school campuses for the weekend. Honolulu city services halted special Saturday operations. Public transit on the Big Island was cancelled during Lala's passage. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park restricted access to Mauna Loa and Red Hill past Kīpukapuaulu. Several shelters were opened in Hawaiʻi and Mau’i counties. A total of seven shelters were also prepared in Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines cancelled all flights to and out of Hilo International Airport. Flood channels in South Kona were cleared to prepare for flooding. Streams in Oʻahu were also cleared for flooding.
Impact
Despite not making a direct landfall on any of the main Hawaiian islands, Lala still produced strong winds. A record wind gust of 140 miles per hour (230 km/h) was observed on the peak of Mauna Kea on the Big Island. A maximum wind gust of 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) was recorded in Olowalu on Maui.
About 125,000 customers across the state lost electricity during the storm.
Big Island
Lala became the first direct hurricane impact on the Big Island since an unnamed hurricane in 1871. Multiple power lines and poles were downed along
42 miles (68 km) of the Hāmākua coast. A total of 19 roofs were torn off by strong winds. Heavy rainfall caused the issuance of a flash flood warning for Kaʻū which became isolated by flooding. Flash floods swept away two dwellings in Nāʻālehu. Floodwaters also swept several residences off their foundations in Waiʻōhinu. Roughly 30 roadways across the island were shut down due to flooding. In a rare occurrence, snowfall occurred on Mauna Kea during the storm.
One person died and two others were injured in a vehicle accident related to the storm in the Hawaiian Ocean View.
Other islands
Lifeguards in Honolulu made 59 water rescues due to swells from Lala. Rainfall rates of 2 inches (51 mm) per hour were observed on Oʻahu. Water levels rose in several streams as a result of the rainfall. A flash flood warning was issued for parts of O’ahu. A tree fell onto a power line near the Honolulu Zoo, striking a pedestrian in the head.