County of Maui Lala Update: Temporary Evacuation Points, cancellations ahead of TS Lala impacts

Officials continue to urge preparedness as strengthening storm heads toward Big Island

Ahead of Tropical Storm Lala impacts, County of Maui emergency officials identified Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) across Maui Nui that are proactively opening or are planning to open if conditions worsen. These sites can convert to shelters if needed. Meanwhile, several County events and services, including Maui Bus, have been adjusted or cancelled due to the incoming storm.

Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to be at or near hurricane strength as it approaches Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday.

National Weather Service (NWS) early this morning issued a Tropical Storm Warning for all Maui Nui islands. A warning means that tropical storm conditions — heavy rain, flash and coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous surf — are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Maui County starting tonight through Sunday, which anticipates widespread rainfall amounts of five to 10 inches; some areas could see as much as 12 inches. A watch means conditions are possible, but not certain or imminent.

“For Maui County, our main concerns are flash flooding, rapidly rising water in flood-prone areas, and power outages that could leave residents without electricity during the storm. This is especially important in vulnerable areas that were hit hard by Kona Low storms earlier this year,” Mayor Richard Bissen said. “County teams are prepared, but we need our community to be ready, too. Secure your property, stock up on essentials, prepare for possible power outages, and check on kūpuna, neighbors and loved ones. We all contribute to keeping Maui safe and prepared.”

Temporary Evacuation Points

TEPs provide a safe gathering area but do not have the supplies of a regular shelter; residents need to bring essentials. Pets are allowed only if they are in crates or cages. If necessary, TEPs can be converted into shelters, which provide cots, food and water.

The County and American Red Cross will be opening TEPs at 7 tonight, Aug. 14:

• Wailuku: Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
• Hāna: Hāna High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway
• Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center gym, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway

The following TEPs will open at 6 a.m. Saturday, 8/15:

• Pukalani: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, 91 Pukalani St.
• Kīhei: South Maui Community Park and Gym, 1501 Liloa Dr.

The following TEPs are available on an as-needed, on-call basis. Those who need shelter information or assistance may call:

• Lānaʻi: Lānaʻi Youth Center, 101-165 Fifth St. Lānaʻi City: (808) 559-0175
• Molokaʻi: Molokaʻi Baptist Church 495 Puupeelua Ave., Hoolehua, and Kilohana Recreation Center, 344 Kamehameha V Highway, Kaunakakai (808) 280-8968

County facility, park and service cancellations or changes

• Department of Public Works (DPW) reconstruction project on Makawao Avenue cancelled work on Saturday and Sunday due to weather.
• County of Maui Department of Transportation on Saturday, Aug. 15 will suspend or end early certain Maui Bus services. Transit services for Sunday will be determined by midday Saturday. For updated information, visit mauibus.org. On Saturday, Maui Bus commuter services to West and South Maui are suspended; the Kahului Transit Center will close once all routes have been completed; ADA Paratransit services will also end by 2 p.m., with most routes departing by noon; Maui Bus Fixed-Route services will end by 2 p.m., with most routes departing by noon (some will depart earlier).

County-sponsored event cancellations or changes

Office of the Mayor’s annual Holomua Kākou talk-story gathering and drop-in centers on Lānaʻi slated for Aug. 17-18, 2026, will be rescheduled.

County preparations

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has been coordinating with other County of Maui departments, as well as state and nongovernment partners, to prepare for potential storm impacts.

Other County preparations include the following:

• Maui Police Department is increasing staffing for all districts to prepare for the storm; all stations tested generators to ensure they are operable. The public should be advised of the following:

• Anticipate longer response times for nonemergency/non-in progress calls — public safety will be prioritized during the storm.
• If there is a situation where emergency evacuation is needed, call 911.
• Crimes committed during an emergency proclamation have enhanced penalties.
• If traffic signals go out or malfunction, treat intersections like a four-way-stop.

• Maui Fire Department stood up an Incident Management Team to assist in managing storm response. The department increased firefighters on duty at stations across Maui County.

• DPW crews have been preparing for the potential upcoming weather by ensuring all storm-response equipment are fueled and ready to go, inspecting and cleaning drainage and flood control infrastructure, and prepositioned traffic control devices and equipment for deployment if needed throughout Maui County, including in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hāna, as well as on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

Material is being removed from the Wailuku River Debris Basin as a safety precaution. All material remains intact and is being safely stored at a County facility in Waikapū. It can be returned to the watershed once the storm has passed.

• Department of Water Supply (DWS) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are prepping all system infrastructure sites that could potentially be affected by the approaching storm. DWS and DEM are checking and topping of fuel in all permanent and portable generators. All vehicles are being refueled daily in anticipation of the storm. Standby crews have been set up for response.

General safety information

Residents are encouraged to:

• Review or update a family emergency plan.
• Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
• Prepare an emergency go bag with essential items to take if evacuation becomes necessary.
• Secure important documents and know your evacuation zone if you live in a coastal or flood-prone area.
• Prepare your home by securing outdoor items, protecting windows if needed, and ensuring it is ready to withstand possible extended power outages.
• Sign up for MEMA Alerts and Genasys evacuation notifications by visiting https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

For the latest information, visit NWS in Honolulu at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to Genasys and MEMA alerts at https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.