Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to become a hurricane by the time it approaches Hawaii's Big Island early Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains capable of causing destructive flooding and strong winds that could exacerbate wildfire risks.
A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island, while a tropical storm warning is in effect for Maui County, encompassing Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe.
Officials and residents are preparing for the storm's impact, regardless of whether it makes a direct landfall. Forecasters noted that significant damage can occur even from impacts felt outside the hurricane's core.
Some areas on the Big Island could receive up to 25 inches of rain. County officials have opened shelters and canceled various events in anticipation of heavy rainfall later Friday.
State Rep. Jeanné Kapela urged residents to take the storm seriously and seek safe locations before conditions worsen. She highlighted that many parts of the state are still recovering from devastating flooding in March, emphasizing how rapidly heavy rain and flooding can affect rural communities.
Growers expressed concern about the potential for excessive rainfall in a short period. Those still affected by spring floods, including on Oahu's North Shore, are worried about further damage. Coffee farmer Bruce Corker described sunny conditions on the west side of the Big Island on Friday but acknowledged concerns about overflowing streams and high winds.
While no red flag warnings were in place, meteorologists indicated that the dry and breezy conditions could elevate the risk of fires. This heightened awareness follows the 2023 wildfire that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina amid extreme winds from a distant hurricane.
As of Friday morning, Tropical Storm Lala was located approximately 340 miles east-southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The storm was moving west-northwest at 14 mph. The threshold for a Category 1 hurricane is 74 mph.