Hurricane Lala Skirts Big Island, Killing One Amid Flooding

Hurricane Lala strengthened into a Category 1 storm on Saturday before passing within 30 miles of Hawaii's Big Island without making landfall. The system brought sustained winds up to 75 miles per hour at peak and heavy rainfall that left more than 40,000 utility customers without electricity across the state.

Power outage reports showed the bulk of disruptions on the Big Island, where 31,792 customers lost service, alongside 7,203 in Maui County. Hawaiian Electric crews worked on a 42-mile stretch of transmission lines along the Hamakua Coast after fallen trees downed multiple poles. The company advised residents to prepare for possible extended outages lasting overnight or longer as the storm tracked westward.

Rainfall totals reached 10 to 20 inches on the Big Island with isolated amounts up to 25 inches forecast in steeper areas. Eastern Maui was expected to see 8 to 12 inches while western sections faced 4 to 6 inches. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center warned these amounts could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly on slopes. A tropical storm warning covered the state's other major islands including Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau as damaging winds and rain spread westward.

Governor Josh Green reported that Lala came closest to the South Point area of the Big Island. One weather-related car accident occurred there, resulting in a fatality. Green urged residents to avoid roads and noted crews had already checked dozens of affected sites. Videos from state transportation officials showed fast-moving floodwaters blocking several roadways.

The storm's eye wall brushed the southern portion of the Big Island but stayed offshore. Maximum winds reached 91 miles per hour at one point before the system began to weaken gradually. Coastal areas faced large waves and a potential 3-foot storm surge. Officials confirmed no direct hurricane landfall had occurred, easing concerns about the first such strike in more than 150 years.

Utility and emergency responses focused on assessing infrastructure damage and clearing debris. The pattern of outages aligned with areas hit hardest by wind and falling trees rather than widespread structural failures. Residents in higher terrain were advised to monitor for gusts that could persist into the night.

Lala continued moving northwest and was projected to turn more westward with increasing speed on Sunday. The core of the system was expected to remain south of the main islands through early next week. Rainfall and flood threats were set to ease as the storm pulled away, though cleanup and power restoration work would extend into following days.