Hurricane Lala set its sights on Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend, heading towards a potential direct hit. This would mark the first time in 155 years that the island faces a direct impact from a hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala’s maximum sustained winds reached 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eyewall was projected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip by evening, bringing its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists warned that the island’s higher elevations, particularly around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall. This heavy precipitation could trigger life-threatening mudslides in mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift dwellings off the grid, prompting authorities to advise swift relocation to safe havens.
Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong resident of the Big Island, shared his plans to weather the storm at a care facility near Hilo, saying, “I’ll bunker down, keep my fingers crossed, and hope for uninterrupted power.” He noted a surge in activity at gas stations as individuals sought fuel for chainsaws and vehicles.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green characterized the approaching storm as “enormous,” cautioning about severe flooding and the potential for wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Approximately 10% of customers on the Big Island experienced power outages, according to data from poweroutage.us.
Residents like Mike Caputo in Keaau, located near the island’s eastern coast, expressed concerns about flash floods and fallen trees, particularly the albizia species known for its large size despite being fragile. Caputo, a local fire captain, emphasized the importance of tree maintenance to prevent road blockages.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for other Hawaiian islands. Researchers noted that a Category 3 hurricane struck the northeast corner of the Big Island in 1871. The latest forecasts indicated that Lala would make landfall very close to the island’s southern tip.
Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to leave cattle in open pastures to avoid collapsing structures. Meteorologist Vanessa Almanza from the National Weather Service in Honolulu highlighted the potential for significant rainfall across the region.
State Representative Jeanné Kapela urged residents to stay vigilant, particularly in the remote and rural southern areas of the island. Concerns were raised about the vulnerability of off-grid communities and structures to hurricane-force winds.
The heightened winds also raised wildfire risks in dry and breezy conditions outside the storm’s immediate path. Memories of past disasters, such as a 2023 fire in Lahaina during extreme winds, kept residents on edge about potential fire outbreaks.
Looking back at history, Hurricane Iniki made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Kauai in 1992 during an El Niño year, causing extensive damage and loss of life. The unpredictability of storms serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.