Maui TS Lala update: 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2026

Storm Update

The National Weather Service (NWS) has downgraded Lala to a tropical storm, but all Maui Nui islands remain under a Tropical Storm Warning. A warning means that tropical storm conditions — including heavy rain, flash and coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous surf — are expected. Maui island is currently under a Flash Flood Warning until 2:45 p.m. Tropical Storm Lala continues to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of Maui County, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi today, 8/16. The storm’s center is forecast to pass south of Kauaʻi County today before moving south of the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands early this week.

Shelters:

Shelters provide cots, food and water. Bring bedding, medications and other essential items. Individuals with dietary restrictions should plan accordingly. Pets are allowed only if they are secured in crates or cages.

The following County and American Red Cross shelters remain open:

• Hāna: Hāna High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway
• Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center Gym, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway
• Kīhei: South Maui Community Park and Gym, 1501 Liloa Drive

As of 2 p.m. today, Aug. 16, the following shelter will be closed:

• Wailuku: Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.

Closed:

• Upcountry: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, 91 Pukalani St., Pukalani, closed at 1:30 a.m. 8/16

Temporary Evacuation Points

Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs), safe locations that do not have the supplies of a regular shelter, will close at 2 p.m. on Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Power Outages

Hawaiian Electric Co. widespread power outages are occurring. Learn Maui County outages by phone at 1(855) 304-8181 (toll free) and from HECO Maui County Outage Map at www.heco.com.

Water Outage

Department of Water Supply reported a water service outage in the Olinda / Pi’iholo areas of Upcountry as of 5:30 p.m. 8/15. No restoration time is available yet due to unsafe conditions and severe weather.

Radio

For County storm updates, tune in to Pacific Media Group radio stations: KPOA 93.5 FM; DaJam 98.3 FM; ESPN Maui 102.5 FM / 900 AM; HI92 Maui; 99.9 Kiss FM; K Country 106.1 FM / 550 AM.

Roads:

• Advisories: Motorists are asked to avoid roadways except for essential travel. Treat any traffic light that is out or malfunctioning as a four-way stop. Do not attempt to travel through moving water.
• Closures: A list of closures is posted HERE. For updates on County of Maui road closures, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/roadclosures or download the Genasys Protect app atmauicounty.gov/MEMA.

County Closures

• All County Department of Recreation parks are closed until damage assessments are completed.
• Molokaʻi-Nāʻiwa Landfill and Recycling Center and Lānaʻi Landfill were closed on 8/15 due to high winds causing unsafe operating conditions. The landfills are expected to reopen for regular hours at 8 a.m. on 8/18.

County Transportation

• Department of Transportation Maui Bus fixed-route and ADA Paratransit services resumed operations today, 8/16, at 10 a.m., with the following exceptions and detours due to storm impacts: West Maui Express (#29) and Kīhei Villager (#15).
• Expect delays due to severe weather. For updated information, visit www.mauibus.org.
• Park Maui suspended parking ambassador staffing and active parking enforcement at 4 p.m. today 8/15 at Kamaʻole Beach Parks I and III and Lahaina Harbor lots. Staffing will resume 8/17.

County Response

Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation 4/13 that lets the County access state and federal assistance and streamline procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed. The County Emergency Operations Center went into full activation as of 6 a.m., 8/15. County departments since 8/12 have been preparing for storm impacts by inspecting and clearing infrastructure, positioning equipment and upstaffing for emergency response.

Damage Assessments

Residents and businesses are encouraged to report storm damage to private property through Crisis Track on https://mauirecovers.org. Reports help the County document damage and support recovery efforts. Submitting a report does not provide direct assistance to individuals or businesses, but it helps the County document the full extent of storm damage. Damage to public roads, infrastructure or County-managed areas should be reported through https://tinyurl.com/mauicountylala. For help completing a damage assessment, call MEMA at (808) 270-7285.

More information

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