Hurricane Lala set its sights on Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading towards a potential landfall, marking the island’s first direct encounter with a hurricane in over 150 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala’s maximum sustained winds had reached 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eye of the storm was projected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip, bringing its most intense winds to the volcanic slopes towering thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists warned that the higher elevations of the island, primarily dominated by the Mauna Kea volcano, could experience up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, posing a significant risk of life-threatening mudslides in areas where residents reside in makeshift dwellings off the grid. Urgent advisories were issued for these individuals to seek secure shelter promptly.
Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong resident of the Big Island, shared his plans to brace for the storm at a care facility near Hilo, expressing hopes that the power would remain on. He noted the increased activity at gas stations as people prepared by stocking up on fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, emphasizing the local community’s self-sufficiency in such situations.
Governor Josh Green described Hurricane Lala as a “massive storm,” raising concerns about potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds sweeping across the island chain. Reports indicated that electricity had already been disrupted for 10% of customers on the Big Island, as per poweroutage.us data.
Residents like Mike Caputo from Keaau were particularly wary of flash floods and falling trees, notably the albizia trees known for their large size but weak structure. Caputo, a 50-year-old fire captain, took precautions to trim his trees in advance to prevent road blockages.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for several other Hawaiian islands. A historical account by a University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist mentioned a Category 3 hurricane hitting the Big Island’s northeast corner in 1871. Current forecasts indicated that Lala was on track to make landfall very close to the island’s southern end, as stated by Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
In preparation for the storm, shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to leave cattle in pastures to avoid potential structural collapses. Almanza cautioned that even without a direct landfall, the storm’s impact could be severe.
Officials projected total rainfall amounts of 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 emphasized the importance of taking the storm seriously, particularly in the remote and rural southern region of the Big Island, which has seen a surge in population due to its affordability. The aftermath of devastating floods in March still lingered for many Hawaiians, with concerns raised by growers about potential further damage, according to Hawaii Farm Bureau director Brian Miyamoto.
As wind speeds escalated throughout the islands, Almanza warned of heightened wildfire risks due to dry and breezy conditions outside the storm’s immediate impact area. Reflecting on a past incident in 2023 when Lahaina experienced a fire during extreme winds caused by a distant hurricane, local resident Archie Kalepa highlighted the community’s increased vigilance towards environmental threats.
Kauai, situated northwest of the Big Island, recalled the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, a Category 4 storm that made landfall during an El Niño year. The event resulted in significant damage and casualties, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of tropical storms.
The looming threat of Hurricane Lala prompted authorities and residents alike to remain vigilant and prepared for potential hazards as the storm approached the Hawaiian islands.
