Hawaii Faces Unprecedented Hurricane Threat: Lala Looms Over Big Island

Hawaii is bracing for its first direct hurricane hit in 34 years. The Category 1 storm Lala, with 75‑mph winds, has entered hurricane status and is now carving a path toward Big Island’s coast.

Lala carries the potential to dump nearly 25 inches of rain on the island and create a 3‑ft storm surge. Such conditions have triggered a hurricane warning for Big Island and tropical‑storm alerts across Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. Officials urge residents to prepare for flood‑prone mudslides, damaging winds, and surf that could be hazardous.

The last hurricane to make landfall on Big Island occurred 155 years ago, according to the Associated Press. The most recent direct hit on any Hawaiian island was the 1992 storm Iniki on Kauai, which caused six deaths and $3 bn in damages.

Governor Josh Green warns residents on X about an “incredible amount of water.” He emphasises the possibility of heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerous surf across the state through the weekend.

Air travel has been severely disrupted: the Big Island’s major airport has grounded 40 % of flights, and 80 % at Hilo International. Flight cancellations span the entire island as weather stations issue severe‑rain forecasts for Big Island’s southeast.

Sociable “digital communities” on Facebook show residents shipping sand bags to protect homes and inquiring about store openings in early hours. County Civil Defence promotes shelters in all Big Island counties, urging a “storm‑ready” focus on personal evacuation plans.

While Lala may drift westward and could lose strength before touching land, the forecast for heavy rainfall could flood rivers and overwhelm banks, necessitating potential rescues and evacuations. The storm’s center is projected to pass just below Hawaii’s other islands, leaving them with tropical‑storm conditions.