Makawao: Lala’s fierce winds leave downed trees, utility lines and other damage in their wake

As staff returned to campuses Tuesday and assessments continued, additional storm-related damage was identified and reported, bringing HIDOE’s statewide preliminary total to more than 600 work orders as of noon — 360 on Oʻahu, 81 on Hawai‘i Island and 175 across all other islands. Reports range from downed trees and damaged roofs to water intrusion, electrical issues and other facility impacts.

Governor Josh Green joined Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda and Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan on Monday for an aerial and ground assessment of storm damage across Kaʻū, one of the areas hardest hit by Tropical Storm Lala. State and county offices statewide are expected to reopen Wednesday, Aug. 19, and resume normal operations, except in the Ka‘ū District.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has identified a new travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, bringing the total number of dengue cases reported in Hawaiʻi to seven in 2026.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has secured over $660,000 in federal funding to launch the “CyberAI Innovation” project and host summer camps aimed at addressing the critical shortage of cybersecurity and AI professionals through new curriculum and statewide training initiatives.

The Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority (SFA), in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Department of Education, has been making steady progress over the past year to build a brand new middle school from the ground up in Waikapū in central Maui. 

A small group of small business owners and leaders of non-profits gathered on Aug. 14 to grow their business with AI. The half-day workshop was hosted by Maui Economic Development Board and presented by Marc Rix, an international adviser, speaker, consultant and trainer.

Both districts of Haleakalā National Park remain closed while the park begins storm damage assessments and recovery. The park will reopen when it is safe to do so.

With a majority of impacted customers brought back online, crews are focusing today on restoring areas of Haʻikū and Pe‘ahi as well pocket outages in Upcountry, Kahului, Lahaina, and East Maui. About 1,900 remain without power. Maui had nine transmission/subtransmission lines affected by the storm and six (67%) have been restored.

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. will reopen its offices for regular operations, including Wailuku, Hāna, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, on Tuesday, Aug. 18, after being closed Monday due to ongoing impacts from Lala. MEO’s Head Start classrooms will also be open. 

A resident of Nāʻālehu said the woman who died had lived by herself and was tiny, under 100 pounds.

Ka‘ū residents talk about their fear while Hurricane Lala struck at night, and the sadness when morning came and they could see the damage.

As severe weather affects the state, the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division is reminding residents to protect their property and file insurance claims as quickly and smoothly as possible.