Hurricane Lala set its course toward Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, potentially making landfall, marking the island’s first direct encounter with a hurricane in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala’s maximum sustained winds had reached 120 km/h, categorizing it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eye of the storm was projected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip by the evening, bringing its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Forecasters warned that the island’s higher elevations, notably near the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, posing a significant risk of life-threatening mudslides. Residents in mountainous areas, living in makeshift homes off the grid, were strongly advised to seek safe shelter promptly.
Amid preparations, Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old long-time resident of the Big Island, shared his plans to weather the storm at a care facility near Hilo, expressing hopes that essential services would remain operational. The surge in demand for fuel for chainsaws and vehicles led to busy gas stations across the island.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green characterized the approaching storm as massive, cautioning about potential destructive flooding and the risk of wildfires sparked by strong winds throughout the island chain. Power outages affected approximately 10% of customers on the Big Island, as reported by poweroutage.us.
Concerns among residents in areas like Keaau, situated near the east coast, centered on flash flooding and the threat of falling trees, particularly albizia trees known for their large size and vulnerability to strong winds. Mike Caputo, a local fire captain, highlighted the importance of tree maintenance to prevent road blockages.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings extended to several other Hawaiian islands. Notably, a Category 3 hurricane struck the northeast corner of the Big Island in 1871. The latest forecasts indicated that Lala was expected to make landfall very close to the island’s southern tip.
Officials emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. The potential for destruction even without a direct landfall was underscored, with shelters opened, events canceled, and ranchers advised to leave cattle in pastures as a safety measure.
As the storm neared, concerns heightened over wildfire risks due to dry and windy conditions prevailing outside the storm’s immediate path. The memory of a devastating fire in Maui in 2023 during extreme winds served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by inclement weather conditions.
Reflecting on past disasters, residents remained wary of the unpredictable nature of storms, with memories of Hurricane Iniki’s impact on Kauai in 1992 serving as a sobering reminder of the destructive potential of powerful hurricanes. The community remained on high alert, aware of the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.