Tropical Storm Lala Bears Down on Hawaii's Big Island

Tropical Storm Lala is already bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii's Big Island, with forecasters warning it could strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall. The National Hurricane Center has issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, marking the first such threat of a direct hit in 155 years.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the potential for life-threatening mudslides in mountainous areas, where some residents live off the grid in improvised housing. Forecasts predict up to 25 inches of rain at higher elevations, and officials are urging people in vulnerable areas to seek safe shelter.

Gov. Josh Green described the storm as "enormous," with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 220 miles from its center. These winds are expected to reach the islands of Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Maui County, which includes Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe.

While the latest forecast has Lala striking "very close to the southern tip of the Big Island," officials warn that significant impacts could be felt even if the storm does not make a direct landfall. "It doesn't take landfall to create destruction," said Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist with the weather service in Honolulu.

The hurricane center predicts 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, with 4 to 6 inches expected across the rest of the island chain. The storm is also expected to bring a dangerous storm surge and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

As of 2 a.m. Saturday, the storm was located about 140 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, moving west-northwest at 13 mph.

State Rep. Jeanné Kapela traveled from Honolulu to be closer to her constituents on the Big Island, expressing particular concern for those living in unpermitted structures. "If you feel now that your house doesn't have a great roof or might not be able to withstand hurricane force winds, then first things first you go to a family or friend's house and you kind of hunker down there," she said.

Many parts of Hawaii are still recovering from devastating flooding in March, and growers are worried about further damage. "We know how quickly heavy rain and flooding can impact our rural communities," Kapela added.

Outside the storm's immediate path, dry and breezy conditions could elevate fire concerns. The 2023 Maui town of Lahaina fire, which occurred as a hurricane passed far to the south, remains fresh in many residents' minds. "Since the fire, everybody is way more aware of weather in general and our environment and things that are happening," said Archie Kalepa of Lahaina.

Kauai, which saw Hurricane Iniki make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in 1992, is also on alert. That storm caused billions in damage and killed six people. "We just can never know if a storm is going to turn," said Steven Businger, a University of Hawaii professor who researched an 1871 hurricane that hit the Big Island.