Hurricane Lala set its sights on Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading towards a potential direct hit, a rare occurrence in the island’s history. The National Hurricane Center reported Lala’s sustained winds reaching 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eyewall was projected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip, bringing its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Weather experts warned that the island’s elevated areas, particularly around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, posing a significant risk of life-threatening mudslides. Residents living in remote mountainous regions in makeshift dwellings were advised to seek safe shelter promptly.
Amid preparations for the storm, Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old long-time resident of the Big Island, shared his plans to stay put and hope for minimal disruptions at a care facility near Hilo. He mentioned the increased activity at gas stations as people stocked up on fuel for equipment like chainsaws and vehicles, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in the community.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green underscored the severity of the approaching storm, cautioning about potential destructive flooding and even wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Reports indicated that electricity was knocked out for a portion of customers on the Big Island.
In Keaau, resident Mike Caputo, a local fire captain, expressed concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the vulnerable albizia trees known for obstructing roads during storms. He ensured his trees were trimmed in anticipation of the adverse weather conditions.
The Big Island was placed under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for several other islands in the region. The last hurricane to make landfall on the Big Island was a Category 3 storm in 1871. The current projections suggested Lala would approach very close to the island’s southern tip.
Authorities opened shelters, canceled events, and advised ranchers to leave their cattle in open pastures to prevent structural collapses. Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, stressed that even without a direct hit, the storm could cause significant damage.
The forecast indicated varying rainfall amounts across different islands in the chain, with Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island expecting 20.3 to 30.5 centimeters of rain.
State Representative Jeanné Kapela urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in the remote and rural regions of the island. The community’s reliance on agriculture, including coffee and cattle farming, combined with its increasing population, raised concerns about the storm’s impact, especially for off-grid residents.
Many locals were still recovering from the aftermath of previous floods, with farmers worried about further agricultural losses. The potential for wildfires due to dry and windy conditions outside the storm was also a growing concern.
In a show of community resilience, residents recalled past disasters like the 2023 Lahaina fire in Maui during extreme winds caused by a distant hurricane. Memories of past tragedies served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in the face of unpredictable weather events.
Reflecting on past devastation, residents like Archie Kalepa from Lahaina emphasized the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures in response to changing weather patterns.
Looking back at historical hurricanes like Iniki in 1992, which caused significant damage in Kauai during an El Niño year, experts highlighted the unpredictable nature of storms and the importance of staying vigilant and prepared.