Hurricane Lala approached Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading towards a potential landfall, marking the island’s first direct hurricane hit in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala’s maximum sustained winds reached 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The forecast indicated that the eyewall would pass over or near the island’s southern tip by the evening, bringing its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes towering thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists warned that elevated areas on the island, predominantly around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, posing a risk of life-threatening mudslides in remote mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift dwellings. Authorities advised immediate evacuation to safer shelters for those in vulnerable areas.
Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old resident of the Big Island, expressed his plans to stay put at a care home near Hilo, emphasizing the necessity of preparedness in such situations. Hawaii Governor Josh Green emphasized the severity of the storm, cautioning about potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Approximately 10% of customers on the Big Island experienced power outages due to the storm.
Residents, like Mike Caputo from Keaau, were primarily concerned about flash floods and fallen trees, particularly the albizia tree known for its large size but weak structure. The island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for several neighboring islands. Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Honolulu, projected Lala’s impact to be very close to the southern tip of the Big Island.
Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to keep their cattle in open pastures to avoid structural collapse risks. The forecast predicted significant rainfall across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island. Officials urged residents to take the storm seriously, especially in remote rural areas vulnerable to the storm’s impact.
The looming threat of wildfires due to dry and windy conditions outside the storm heightened concerns across the islands. The memory of a destructive fire in Maui in 2023, during extreme winds caused by a passing hurricane, served as a stark reminder of the potential risks. The community, including renowned waterman Archie Kalepa, remained vigilant following past natural disasters.
Reflecting on the historical impact of hurricanes in Hawaii, experts recalled the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki’s landfall on Kauai in 1992, a Category 4 storm that inflicted significant damage and casualties. The influence of El Niño on Pacific hurricane activity highlighted the interconnected nature of global weather patterns.
Hawaii’s residents and authorities braced for the potential aftermath of Hurricane Lala, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of extreme weather events and emphasizing the importance of preparedness and community resilience in the face of natural disasters.
