Hurricane Lala Threatens Historic Big Island Strike

Hawaii is bracing for what could become a historic encounter with Hurricane Lala. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala strengthens southeast of Hawaii, threatening damaging winds, extreme rainfall, flash floods and mudslides through Saturday. If the center crosses the Big Island at hurricane strength, it would mark an extraordinarily rare event for the island.

As of Friday, Lala was roughly 420 miles southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph. Forecasters expect it to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the vicinity of the Big Island on Saturday. The latest track has shifted slightly south, meaning a direct landfall is no longer certain — but officials warn that even a near miss could produce dangerous conditions.

Hawaii Declares State of Emergency

Governor Josh Green has declared a state of emergency, warning that Lala poses a “serious threat,” particularly to the Big Island. Emergency officials are urging residents to secure homes, stock essential supplies, clear gutters and drains and stay away from beaches and coastal areas.

The biggest danger may be water. Forecasts call for widespread rainfall of roughly 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island, with isolated locations potentially receiving up to 25 inches. Such rainfall could trigger life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, particularly along the mountainous windward side of the Big Island. A storm surge of roughly one to three feet is also possible.

Strong winds could knock down trees and power lines, while dangerous surf and rip currents are expected around the islands. Tropical-storm conditions are also possible across Maui County, including Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.

Could Hurricane Lala Make History?

Direct tropical-cyclone strikes on Hawaii are rare. If Lala’s center crosses the Big Island, it would be the island’s first direct tropical-cyclone strike since Tropical Storm Darby in 2016. Tropical Storm Iselle also made landfall there in 2014, causing widespread wind damage and power outages.

A hurricane-strength landfall on the Big Island would be even more exceptional. Hawaii’s most destructive modern hurricane, Iniki, struck Kauai in 1992, killing six people and causing billions of dollars in damage. NOAA records show direct hurricane landfalls anywhere in Hawaii are extremely uncommon.

There is a recent warning of what even a near miss can do. Hurricane Hone passed roughly 50 miles south of the Big Island in 2024 yet still dumped extraordinary rainfall on portions of the island.

Small Track Change, Huge Difference

For Hawaii residents, the next hours will be crucial. A slight northward shift could push Lala closer to the Big Island and increase the threat of hurricane-force winds. A track farther south could spare the island the storm’s core — while still delivering torrential rain, flooding and dangerous seas.

That is why officials are urging residents not to focus solely on whether Hurricane Lala technically makes landfall.

For Hawaii, a near miss could still be a direct hit in everything but name.