HURRICANE LALA BATTERS HAWAII: INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE AND MASS POWER OUTAGES RACK THE BIG ISLAND

 

Torrential rains isolate the Kaʻū district and knock out power to hundreds of thousands of residents as severe flooding and landslides sweep across the state.

HONOLULU, HAWAII

Hurricane Lala lashed Hawaii's Big Island over the weekend, leaving behind extensive structural damage, severe flooding, and widespread electrical disruptions. According to reports tracked via Civil Beat and update metrics from PowerOutage.us, more than 197,000 to 217,000 utility customers statewide experienced power outages at the height of the storm, with major grid disruptions impacting both Honolulu County and Hawaii Island.

Heavy precipitation—ranging up to 25 inches in elevated volcanic areas—triggered rapid flash floods and mudslides, severely damaging key transport corridors. Along Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11), bridges and road sections near Pāhala, Kāwā Flats, and Waiʻōhinu were submerged or blocked by debris, effectively isolating portions of the Kaʻū district. First responders and county highway crews were forced to temporarily pull back during the peak of the storm as high winds and falling trees created hazardous conditions for emergency personnel.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency to accelerate state and federal relief operations as damage assessments get underway. Emergency management agencies advise all residents to remain sheltered, respect road closures, and check official state channels like the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for real-time traffic updates, shelter locations, and grid restoration timelines.