Hurricane Lala set its sights on Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading towards a potential landfall, which would mark the first direct hit from a hurricane on the island in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala’s maximum sustained winds had reached 120 km/h, categorizing 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 higher elevations of the island, predominantly around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could experience up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, leading to the risk of life-threatening mudslides in areas where people reside in makeshift housing off the grid. Authorities advised residents to seek safe shelter promptly.
Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong resident of the Big Island, shared his plans to hunker down and hope for minimal disruption at a care facility near Hilo. He noted the increased activity at gas stations as people prepared with fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, emphasizing the necessity of self-reliance in such situations.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green emphasized the magnitude of the storm, cautioning about potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds sweeping across the island chain. Approximately 10% of customers on the Big Island experienced power outages, as reported by poweroutage.us.
Residents like Mike Caputo from Keaau expressed concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the vulnerable albizia trees known for their large size and instability. Caputo, a local fire captain, took precautions by trimming his trees in advance to prevent road blockages.
A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, with tropical storm warnings in effect for other islands in the region. The last Category 3 hurricane to impact the Big Island occurred in 1871, while the latest forecasts indicated Lala’s potential landfall near the island’s southern tip, as highlighted by National Weather Service meteorologist Vanessa Almanza.
Preparations included the opening of shelters, cancellation of events, and advisories for ranchers to leave cattle in open pastures to avoid structural collapse risks. Almanza stressed that even without direct landfall, the storm could cause significant destruction across the area.
Officials predicted total rainfall amounts ranging from 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 Rep. Jeanné Kapela urged residents to remain vigilant, especially those in remote rural areas vulnerable to the storm’s impact. Concerns were raised about the potential damage to agriculture, including coffee and cattle farms, in the region, with a particular focus on those living off-grid.
The heightened winds also raised wildfire risks outside the storm-affected areas, with Almanza warning of dry and breezy conditions that could exacerbate fire concerns. Memories of the 2023 Lahaina fire during extreme winds served as a reminder of the importance of weather awareness and preparedness.
Reflecting on past disasters, including Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which caused extensive damage on Kauai, residents and experts emphasized the unpredictability of storms and the need for continuous vigilance in the face of changing weather patterns.