Hurricane Lala Heads Toward Hawaii

Written by: Keya Gambhir

Imagine waking up to heavy rain, powerful winds, and waves crashing along the coast. That is what many people in Hawaii are experiencing as Hurricane Lala approaches the Big Island.

On Saturday, August 15, Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. The storm was moving toward the southern part of Hawaii’s Big Island, where it could make landfall or pass very close to the island. If Lala makes landfall as a hurricane, it would be the first hurricane on record to hit the Big Island and the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in more than 30 years.

Why Is Lala Dangerous?

One of the biggest dangers from Lala is not just its wind. It is the enormous amount of rain the storm could bring.

Forecasters expect the Big Island to receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain, with some areas possibly getting as much as 25 inches. Maui could receive 8 to 12 inches, while other Hawaiian islands could see several inches of rain. That much water can quickly overwhelm rivers, roads, and drainage systems, causing flash floods and mudslides.

Lala is also bringing dangerous winds and waves. Wind gusts near 75 miles per hour have already been reported in some areas, and stronger gusts are possible in higher elevations. Trees can fall, power lines can be damaged, and roads can become dangerous. Along parts of the Big Island, waves could reach 25 to 30 feet!

What Makes Older Homes More Vulnerable?

The Big Island has many older homes, and experts are concerned that some may not be strong enough to handle hurricane conditions.

The median age of a home on the Big Island is about 37 years. Many older houses were built using single-wall construction. Newer homes are more likely to use double-wall construction, which has an exterior wall and an interior wall with wooden studs between them. According to University of Hawaii expert Dennis Hwang, newer double-wall homes should generally handle the storm better, while single-wall homes may be more vulnerable to strong winds.

Another important change happened after Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii in 1992. Homes built afterward were required to have stronger connections between the roof and foundation. Homes built in 2010 or later had to meet even stronger standards designed to withstand a Category 3 hurricane.

However, making an older home stronger can be extremely expensive. Hawaii already has a high cost of housing and construction, which can make it difficult for homeowners to update older buildings.

How Are People Preparing?

Residents across Hawaii have been preparing for Lala by staying informed, protecting their homes, and checking on neighbors.

Some people have filled sandbags to help protect their homes from flooding. Others have brought heavy outdoor objects inside so strong winds cannot turn them into dangerous projectiles. People are also being encouraged to stay off roads during flooding and to evacuate if officials tell them to do so.

Hawaii County has also opened emergency shelters for people who need a safe place to stay.

Lala is a reminder that hurricanes are dangerous because they bring many threats at once: wind, rain, flooding, mudslides, and powerful waves. Even homes that seem safe can be damaged when extreme weather arrives.

For people in Hawaii, the most important thing right now is to listen to emergency officials, stay away from dangerous floodwaters and roads, and have a plan for where to go if conditions become unsafe.

As Lala moves through Hawaii, communities are showing how preparation and teamwork can help people stay safer during a powerful storm.