Hurricane Lala made its way towards Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading for a potential landfall, marking the first direct hit by a hurricane on the island in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala had strengthened with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eyewall was expected to pass over or near the southern tip of the island by evening, bringing its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists predicted that the higher elevations of the island, predominantly dominated by the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, raising concerns of life-threatening mudslides in the mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift homes off the grid. Authorities advised residents to seek safe shelter promptly.
Residents like Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong inhabitant of the Big Island, expressed readiness by stating his plans to “hunker down and hope for uninterrupted power supply” at a care facility near Hilo. Camara mentioned the surge in activity at gas stations as people prepared by stocking up on fuel for chainsaws and vehicles.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green emphasized the severity of the storm, warning of potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Reports indicated that electricity had been disrupted for 10% of customers on the Big Island.
In Keaau, resident Mike Caputo, a local fire captain, highlighted concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the albizia tree known for its large size but weak structure. Caputo took precautions by trimming his trees in anticipation of the storm’s impact.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for several other islands in the region. According to historical research, a Category 3 hurricane struck the northeast corner of the Big Island in 1871. The latest projections indicated that Hurricane Lala was likely to make landfall very close to the island’s southern tip.
Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to leave cattle in pastures to avoid potential structural collapses. Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Honolulu, stressed the potential for destructive impacts even without a direct landfall.
Officials urged residents to take the storm seriously, especially in the remote and rural southern regions of the island known for agriculture such as coffee and cattle farming. Jeanné Kapela, a State Representative, emphasized the importance of seeking safe shelter, particularly for those living in vulnerable housing conditions.
As the hurricane approached, concerns rose about increased wildfire risks due to dry and windy conditions outside the storm’s immediate path. The community remained vigilant following previous disasters, such as the 2023 wildfire in Lahaina during extreme winds coinciding with a distant hurricane.
Reflecting on past devastation, experts highlighted the destructive power of hurricanes, citing the 1992 landfall of Hurricane Iniki on Kauai, which caused significant damage and loss of life. The unpredictability of storms serves as a reminder of the need for preparedness and vigilance in the face of natural disasters.