Lala Sunday Updates: Lala brings damaging winds, heavy rain to Maui and Big Island, continues westward

Update: 5 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Life-threatening flooding continues across portions of Maui County and the Big Island.
Heavy rain and gusty winds are now spreading over Oʻahu.

At 5 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 140 miles WNW of Kailua Kona, Hawaiʻi and 75 miles S of Honolulu, near latitude 20.2 North, longitude 158.1 West. Lala is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph but is expected to turn westward later today. A continued westward motion is forecast through Tuesday night.

The core of the storm is forecast to remain south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands and the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Slight additional weakening is expected during the next day or so. Some restrengthening is forecast by midweek. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

A weather station (Ilio 1) on the northwestern portion of Molokai at an elevation of 175 ft recently reported a sustained wind of 53 mph and a gust of 69 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.27 inches).

WIND: Tropical storm conditions continue across portions of the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County, with the strongest winds occurring in areas of higher terrain. Tropical storm conditions will spread across Oahu this morning and Kauai County later today. Wind speeds atop mountains and on the windward and leeward slopes are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Lala is expected to produce additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches across windward portions of the the Big Island and windward Maui, with maximum storm total of 30 to 35 inches over the windward Big Island. Across the remainder of the island chain total rainfall of 2 to 6 inches is expected, with the highest totals over windward Kauai. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Oʻahu…1-2 ft Kauai…1-2 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala will continue to build westward across the exposed windward waters today. Swells will also build over the exposed leeward waters as Lala passes south of the islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: Hawaiʻi County; Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe; Oʻahu; and Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.
• Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Lala.

The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 8 a.m. HST, and the next complete advisory will be released at 11 a.m. HST.

Update: 5:17 a.m., HST Sunday, August. 16, 2026
Lānaʻi Flood Advisory until 8:45 a.m.

The island of Lānaʻi is under a Flood Advisory until 5:17 a.m. due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall. At 5:16 a.m. HST, Doppler radar indicated moderate to locally heavy rain over Lānaʻi. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Bands of heavy rain is expected to move in from the southeast over the next few hours. Some locations that will experience flooding include: Lānaʻi City, Manele and Lanai Airport.

Update: 5:14 a.m., HST Sunday, August. 16, 2026
Molokaʻi Flood Advisory extended to 8:30 a.m.

The island of Molokaʻi remains under a Flood Advisory until 8:30 a.m. due to flooding cased by excessive rainfall. Minor flooding on roads, poor drainage areas, and in streams. River or stream flows are elevated. At 5:13 a.m. HST, Doppler radar indicated moderate to locally heavy rain over Molokai. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1.5 inches per hour. Minor flooding is ongoing the advisory area. Additional moderate to heavy showers are expected over the next several hours. Some locations that will experience flooding include: Kaunakakai, Kualapuʻu, Hoʻolehua, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kamalo, ʻUalapuʻe, Maunaloa, Pūkoʻo, Kepuhi, Hālawa Valley and Molokaʻi Airport.

Update: 4:15 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Flood Watch for Maui and Big Island to 6 p.m.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Maui and the Big Island of Hawaiʻi until 6 p.m. due to flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall. Flood prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Although Tropical Storm Lala has moved west of the islands, trailing rain bands could bring additional heavy rain to the Big Island and Maui County through this afternoon. Torrential rainfall over the past 24 hours has created saturated grounds. It
will not take a significant amount of rain to produce additional flash flooding.

Update: 3:45 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Maui Flash Flood Warning issued until 5 a.m.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for the island of Maui until 5 a.m. At 3:45 a.m. HST, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain bands across Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of 0.5 to 1.5 inches per hour with the heaviest rainfall over the slopes of Haleakalā. Local streams remain elevated and flash flooding is ongoing. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Kēōkea, Pāiʻa, Puʻunēnē, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela and Paʻuwela. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

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Update: 2 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Damaging winds and heavy rain continue across the Big Island and Maui County.
Conditions expected to deteriorate across Oʻahu this morning.

At 2 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 105 miles WNW of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi and 100 miles S of Honolulu, near latitude 19.9 North, longitude 157.6 West. Lala is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph. A gradual westward turn with an increase in forward speed is expected today, followed by a continued westward motion through Tuesday.

The core of the storm is forecast to remain south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands and the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. A gradual weakening trend is forecast today and Monday. Some restrengthening is possible by midweek. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.27 inches).

WIND: Tropical storm conditions will persist across portions of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi early this morning, with the strongest winds expected in areas of higher terrain. Tropical storm conditions will spread westward from Maui County to Oʻahu this morning, then to Kauaʻi County later today. Wind speeds atop mountains and on the windward and leeward slopes are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Lala is expected to produce additional rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across the Big Island and windward Maui, with maximum storm total of 30 to 35 inches over the windward Big Island. Across the remainder of the island chain total rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts of 8 inches, is expected. This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaiʻi…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala will continue to build westward across the exposed windward waters today. Swells will also build over the exposed leeward waters as Lala passes south of the islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

• The Hurricane Warning for Hawaiʻi County has been replaced with a Tropical Storm Warning.
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: Hawaiʻi County; Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe; Oʻahu; and Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.
• Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Lala.

The next complete advisory will be issued at 5 a.m. HST.

Quick links:

• Lala Sunday Weather updates
• Maui power outage updates
• Maui Evening Lala update with Evacuation Points / Shelters
• Road closures
• Canceled/Postponed/Modified
• State Parks/Camping/Trails
• State recap: schools, health, dams, national guard

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11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Lala remains a hurricane as it begins to pull away form the Big Island. Damaging winds and heavy rain will persist across the Big Island and Maui County overnight and spread westward across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi County on Sunday.

Lala is now 65 miles W of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, and 130 miles SSE of Honolulu. The system has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with higher gusts, maintaining its intensity as a category 1 hurricane. Movement is toward the NW with increased speed at 15 mph.

At 11 p.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Lala was located near latitude 19.6 North, longitude 157.0 West. A gradual westward turn with an increase in forward speed is expected on Sunday, as the core of the storm remains south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands and the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands through the early part of next week.

This intensity of Lala is forecast to remain steady for a few more hours, followed by a gradual weakening trend on Sunday as Lala passes south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands. Some restrengthening is possible next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb (29.18 inches).

• A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for: Hawaiʻi County. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 6 to 12 hours.
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of the state including: Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe; Oʻahu; and Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.
• Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Lala.

11:03 p.m., 8.15.26
Maui Flood Advisory until 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

At 11 p.m. HST, Doppler radar indicated moderate to locally heavy rain starting to move over Maui from the south. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Rain was falling at a rate of 0.5 to 1.5 inches per hour. Bands of heavy rain should increase over Maui tonight. Some locations that will experience flooding include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Kēōkea, Pāiʻa, Puʻunēnē, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela and Pauwela.

Additional Lala Discussion as of 11:08 p.m., Aug. 15, 2026

Hurricane Lala continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, and dangerously high surf to portions of the state. Heavy rain associated with the hurricane extends across the Big Island and Maui County tonight and will spread northwest to reach Oʻahu early Sunday morning and Kauaʻi later Sunday morning. Hurricane Lala is now centered west of the Big Island and will continue generally west-northwestward, tracking south of the island chain through Sunday. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lala as impacts extend well beyond the center of the hurricane.

Rainfall between 15 to 25 inches has been observed over the last 18 hours for the eastern and southern Big Island. Portions of Kaʻū District have recently observed rainfall rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour, producing catastrophic flash flooding. Flooding rain will continue for portions of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi as Lala passes. The threat for flooding increases over Maui County tonight through Sunday morning and spreads to the rest of the state through Sunday. Heavy rainfall could persist into Monday for some areas, mainly over the western end of the island chain. Lala is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches across the Big Island and Maui County and 4 to 6 inches across the remainder of the island chain. Locally higher amounts are possible. While the highest rainfall amounts will be focused over windward areas and higher terrain, leeward areas will also have a significant flood risk.

Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts as high as 80 mph are being observed for leeward Kohala and portions of West Maui tonight. 25 to 35 mph sustained winds with gusts of 40 to 60 mph are also ongoing along the Saddle Road and large portions of Maui. Hurricane conditions, with sustained winds over 74 mph, remain possible across the Big Island through Sunday morning. Tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds over 39 mph, are expected for portions of Maui County through Sunday afternoon and the western islands through Sunday evening. It is very important to note that the mountainous terrain of the islands will likely produce localized areas of highly enhanced and damaging winds, even well away from the tropical cyclone center.

East swell is beginning to subside for the Big Island but is currently peaking for Maui County. Surf will continue to build further west, peaking early Sunday morning for Oʻahu and later Sunday morning for Kauaʻi. Some increase in surf is also possible along exposed south-facing shores as Lala continues westward. Significant beach erosion and overwash are still possible across vulnerable coastal infrastructure.