NEWS RELEASE – STATE OF HAWAIʻI UPDATE ON HURRICANE LALA

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

KA ʻOIHANA PILI KAUA

HAWAI‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

KE‘ENA HO‘OMALU PŌULIA O HAWAI‘I

HAWAIʻI JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

STATE OF HAWAIʻI UPDATE ON HURRICANE LALA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2026

Lala-JIC-2026-003

HONOLULU — Hurricane Lala is impacting the state, with Hawaiʻi state agencies actively responding to the storm and supporting county emergency response efforts. State personnel and resources have been deployed across the islands to address current impacts and respond to changing conditions as the hurricane moves through the state.

“Hurricane Lala is now impacting our state, and the safety of our people remains our highest priority,” said Governor Green. “National Guard, law enforcement, transportation, health and emergency personnel are working around the clock, with resources positioned statewide to support our communities. If you are safe at home, please shelter in place. Otherwise, emergency shelters and refuge areas may be available in your county – please proceed carefully and bring supplies for your family. We will continue moving people and resources wherever they are needed until every community is safe.”

The following are the latest updates on response efforts and impacts:

HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD

The Hawaiʻi National Guard is prepared to support state and county emergency response efforts as Hurricane Lala passes close to shore.

Approximately 180 Hawaiʻi National Guard personnel are positioned to support response operations statewide.
On O‘ahu, the Hawai‘i National Guard Joint Staff, a command and control element, has been activated and will support all island Task Forces. The Joint Staff and Task Force Hawaiʻi will operate on a 24-hour basis through Monday. Operations may be extended or additional resources added depending on the storm’s impact.
Task Force Hawaiʻi, made up of 41 Guard members, has been stood up in anticipation of potential impacts today and continuing through the weekend.
Task Force Maui stood up yesterday and is prepared to support Maui County with 19 soldiers and airmen.
High-wheeled vehicle teams are pre-positioned in each county.
Liaison officers are working in emergency operations centers statewide to coordinate directly with state and county emergency management officials. The Kaua‘i Liaison officers are currently on standby.

HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Airports – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) closed Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) at 2 p.m. HDOT anticipates staff returning to ITO and KOA Sunday, Aug. 16, to resume operations. All other airports remain open at this time.

HDOT will continue to work with airline partners to keep passengers updated on any schedule changes. Passengers should check flight status with their air carrier before heading to the airport.

Harbors – Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County commercial ports are closed. There are no terminal, facility or vessel operations permitted in harbors unless approved by the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

HDOT is posting travel-related storm updates for airports, highways and harbors at https://hidot.Hawai‘i.gov/weather-traffic/ and on HDOT’s social media accounts.

DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

The state Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) is assisting at Hawaiʻi Island shelters and stands ready to assist at shelters that open on other islands.

DLE drones are on standby for deployment if needed, to identify areas of concern such as flooded roads, damaged structures, landslides and need for evacuations.

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Forests and Wildlife Lands – State forestry and wildlife lands will close upon issuance of a National Weather Service tropical storm or hurricane warning and reopen when warnings are canceled. This includes forest reserves, natural area reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Nā Ala Hele Trails.

The public is urged to avoid forested and coastal areas due to hazards including rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees and branches, rockfalls, landslides, storm surge and high surf. Emergency response and rescue operations may be delayed due to dangerous conditions.

Dam Safety – Regulated dam owners statewide have been notified to prepare and review their emergency action plans and prepare response resources, including contractors and equipment rentals. In accordance with established Dam Safety Emergency Action Plans, dam owners are to inspect their facilities and notify DLNR and county emergency management agencies of any issues that may arise.

DLNR Flood Risk Management Section reports that Puukapu Watershed Retarding R-1 Dam (HA-43), located on Hawai‘i Island, activated its “non-failure” emergency action plan. The dam is functioning as designed to discharge water via several injection wells on both sides of the dam that crosses Mana Road in Waimea. The dam reservoir protects Kuhio Village and Waimea homes and farmlands in Waimea town below Māmalahoa Highway. It is being monitored by the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works, which operates and maintains the dam.

Dam Evacuation Zone Map Viewer – The DLNR Dam Evacuation Zones website is a tool residents and businesses can use to learn if they are in a dam evacuation area.

https://waihalana.Hawai‘i.gov/2026/04/10/do-i-live-in-a-dam-evacuation-zone/

Homeless – DLNR is urging houseless individuals to leave forested, coastal and other outdoor areas at risk from flooding, high surf, rising streams, landslides and falling trees. Those near beaches or low-lying coastal areas, under bridges or near stream channels and drainage areas should move to higher ground. Those sheltering under large trees should move to a covered area away from trees. DLNR cautions that emergency response or rescue from hazardous areas may be delayed.

Boating and Harbors – All state small boat harbors will remain open to provide safe harbor to vessels, subject to any limitations on available mooring space and vessel size.

Boat owners and operators are advised to check all moorings and lines, bilge pumps, secure cabins and hatches, and take other precautions as necessary to protect themselves, their vessels and natural resources. Any vessel groundings should be immediately reported to the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).

Camping and Lodging – All camping and lodging in state parks and on state lands is suspended through the weekend. Notifications were sent to everyone who received a camping permit. Refunds will be credited to the accounts of anyone who misses camping nights due to storm closures.

Monitor Real-Time Stream Conditions –

Publicly accessible, near-real-time data on stream level discharge at 88 monitoring locations across the five main Hawaiian Islands is available at the Water Data for the Nation website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/state/Hawai‘i/. The site is provided through the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in partnership with the DLNR Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), other state and county agencies.

For those who wish to receive notifications, the USGS also offers WaterAlert, a free service that sends text or email updates when water levels at selected gauges reach user-defined thresholds: https://accounts.waterdata.usgs.gov/wateralert/

Know Your Flood Risks – Use the DLNR Flood Hazard Assessment Tool to view maps of special flood hazard areas from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): https://FHAT.Hawai‘i.gov/

HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

A Department of Health Brown Water Advisory has been issued for the Island of Hawai‘i.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) advises beach users to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain, even if a Brown Water Advisory has not been issued in the area.
After storms or heavy rain, the water may contain higher than normal pollutant levels. The department recommends staying out of these affected waters for 48-72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.
DOH advises the public to avoid swimming, wading in, or drinking water from any freshwater streams or ponds to prevent leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria.

DOH is closely monitoring the storm through its emergency operations center and coordinating with hospitals, EMS, county emergency managers and state and federal partners around the clock. Hospital capacity is currently within normal limits, though some facilities are seeing high volumes. Emergency departments remain within capacity.

EMS resources are positioned across the state, including ambulances, aircraft and personnel, to respond to increased medical needs. Air medical resources are being continuously reassessed as weather conditions change.
DOH public health nurses are deploying to five Oʻahu shelters to provide health support to shelter residents.

o Roosevelt HS

o Moanalua HS

o Mililani HS

o Kapolei HS

o Nānākuli Elementary

Two Liberty Dialysis centers in Hilo are closed today.
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers are supporting shelter operations, with Hawaiʻi Island volunteers activated and other teams on standby as needed and conditions allow.
Hospitals and emergency departments are being monitored for capacity, with DOH coordinating closely with health care partners to address potential impacts from the storm and disruptions to patient transfers.
DOH is monitoring health and disease threats associated with the storm and has increased capacity for bacteria testing and environmental sampling if needed.
Environmental health teams are prepared to respond to hazards such as flooding, spills, contaminated water and other environmental concerns following storm damage.
DOH is maintaining communication with disability and access-and-functional-needs communities to share current information, identify needs and help connect people with resources.
The Hawaiʻi Island Medical Reserve Corps has been activated to assist at shelters, while other island teams remain on standby.

DOH has also established a Hurricane Preparedness website with health-related information and resources for residents before, during and after the storm. DOH will provide updates through its social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

HAWAIʻI STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System will be closing the following library branches on O‘ahu on Sunday, August 16:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Residents are encouraged to know what their insurance policies cover so they can efficiently recover any losses after the storm passes.

Steps to Take Now

Keep copies of property, flood and auto insurance policies — in a waterproof folder or secure digital storage.
Create a home inventory: photos/videos of furniture, appliances and valuables.
Save receipts for high-value items.

If Damage Already Occurred

NFIP policyholders: start a claim at FloodSmart.gov/recover/start-a-claim
Private flood insurance: contact your carrier or agent directly
Homeowners/condo/renters claims — once safe:

o Document damage with clear photos/videos

o Secure property from further damage; keep receipts for repair materials used

o Contact your insurer/agent to file a claim and follow their claims procedure

o Don’t begin permanent repairs until an adjuster inspects or insurer approves

o Be cautious of contractor scams — never sign your entire claims check over to a contractor

Auto claims: contact your insurer to file; if the vehicle is drivable, get repair estimates; if not, follow total-loss procedures with your adjuster.

The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has many resources available online, such as My Insurance Doesn’t Cover What?, Flood Insurance Basics, and Storm Claims Guides. For additional assistance, contact DCCA at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or visit cca.Hawai‘i.gov/ins.

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) — HTA is sharing clear, consistent guidance with current visitors, those planning trips to Hawaiʻi and the visitor industry in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. Direct visitor messaging, including active weather alerts and island-by-island conditions and closures, will continue through GoHawaiʻi social media channels, the GoHawaiʻi website alert banner and dedicated landing page, the GoHawaiʻi app through push and in-app alerts, and the 1-800-GOHAWAI‘I call center.

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