Hawaii News Roundup: Tropical Storm Lala Leaves One Dead, 180,000+ Without Power as It Pulls Away and More

Published Aug 17, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Hawaii news. Tropical Storm Lala weakened and continued tracking away from the islands after lashing Hawaii with heavy rain and wind, leaving at least one person dead on the Big Island, sweeping homes away and knocking out power for more than 180,000 customers. All coastal storm warnings were lifted, state and county offices, schools and courts were closed statewide Monday, and damaging wind gusts uprooted trees in West Oahu neighborhoods.

Tropical Storm Lala weakens, pulls away from Hawaii

The National Hurricane Center discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for Kauai County as a weakening Lala tracked westward, and all coastal storm watches and warnings for the state were lifted. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, Lala’s center was about 270 miles west of Honolulu, or 190 miles west-southwest of Lihue, moving west at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph. Additional rainfall of 1 to 4 inches, with isolated totals around 6 inches, was expected, and a Flood Watch remained in effect for Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County through late Sunday night, with a High Surf Advisory for east-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. Forecasters said Lala could restrengthen into a hurricane again by Wednesday, far from Hawaii. (Hawaii News Now, National Hurricane Center, Aug. 17, 2026)

One dead on the Big Island as homes swept away

At least one person died on the Big Island as Lala lashed Hawaii with flash flooding and damaging winds. Homes were swept away and flash flood emergencies were declared on Hawaii Island; the Big Island was spared a direct hit. (NBC News, FOX Weather, Sky News, Honolulu Civil Beat, Aug. 15-17, 2026)

More than 180,000 lose power; 100 homes damaged; airports closed

More than 180,000 customers lost power in Hawaii and at least 100 homes were damaged as Lala weakened to a tropical storm, according to Reuters, while CNN reported thousands without power and at least 100 homes damaged. Hawaii Island airports closed and flights were canceled as the hurricane passed south of the Big Island, and airlines serving Hawaii canceled mainland flights from the Bay Area and Southern California. (Reuters, CNN, Hawaii News Now, ABC7 Bay Area, KTLA, Aug. 15-16, 2026)

State, county offices, schools and courts closed Monday

All Hawaii state and county offices, schools and court facilities were closed Monday following the storm, with non-essential workers granted administrative leave. (Hawaii News Now, Aug. 17, 2026)

West Oahu wind gusts uproot trees, damage Waianae homes

Strong winds from Storm Lala were amplified by valleys in West Oahu, uprooting mature trees and causing significant damage in Waianae neighborhoods. (Hawaii News Now, Aug. 17, 2026)

For more on the Aloha State, see the Hawaii guide.