Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Regularly scheduled Lala updates for Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 are posted here. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big…
With the storm's general motion expected to continue, the core of Lala will pass near the Big Island of Hawaiʻi on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service, tropical storm-force winds are expected within the areas of Waimea, Barking Sands and Hanapēpē within the next 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Lala is driving the biggest statewide response, with counties, schools, transit, ports, banks and parks all adjusting ahead of worsening weather. MauiNow.com reports on state actions, temporary evacuation points and cancellations, Maui Bus service changes, Haleakalā National Park closures, and bank branch shutdowns. BigIslandNow.com and KauaiNowNews.com are also tracking weather and surf hazards, shipping and cargo limits, visitor guidance, and port restrictions as the system nears the islands. Beyond the storm, health officials confirmed a fifth case of cyclosporiasis, and state agencies are also warning about migratory bird risks as the season turns.
Maui is bracing for Tropical Storm Lala with county evacuation points and cancellations, Maui Bus schedule changes, and Haleakalā National Park closures now in place or pending. The county also postponed Mayor Bissen’s Lānaʻi visit and is warning residents to stay prepared as conditions worsen. Separately, the state confirmed a fifth cyclosporiasis case, and Lahaina residents are being invited to replant kalo patches at Apuakehau in a quieter but meaningful community effort.
The Big Island is facing the storm first and most directly, with the latest county forecast warning of tropical storm conditions and possible hurricane-force winds, plus a high surf warning for east-facing shores. Businesses and shippers are also reacting, including Young Brothers and the state’s insurance reminder ahead of the storm’s arrival. In county government, Darryl Oliveira has been named acting administrator for Civil Defense, while authorities also announced charges in a string of property crimes.
Kauaʻi is also preparing for Tropical Storm Lala, with the latest weather forecast calling for breezy conditions and the surf forecast showing elevated seas, especially on east-facing shores. The storm is already affecting operations, from Young Brothers shipping changes and US Coast Guard port restrictions to a postponed Kauaʻi Coffee event and a water conservation notice affecting parts of the North Shore. Statewide advisories on insurance preparation and visitor guidance round out the picture as the storm approaches.
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for August 15, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Tropical storm conditions expected with hurricane conditions possible. Showers. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows 70 to 77 near the shore to 61 to 66 at 4000…
Kauai Weather Forecast for August 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Sebastien Gabriel West Kaua’i Tonight: Breezy. Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows around 76 near the shore to around 66 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to…
State of Hawaiʻi takes action ahead of Lala impacts
Graphic: Office of the Governor. Graphic: Office of the Governor. Graphic: Office of the Governor. Graphic: Office of the Governor. Graphic: Office of the Governor. Graphic:…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for August 15, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast HIGH SURF WARNING FOR EAST FACING SHORES Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 2-4 2-4 3-5 4-6 East Facing 9-12…
Kauai Surf Forecast for August 15, 2026
HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR EAST FACING SHORES Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 West Facing 4-6 4-6 3-5 3-5 South Facing 5-7 6-8 4-6 4-6 East…
DOH confirms fifth case of cyclosporiasis
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has confirmed a case of cyclosporiasis in a member of the military based in Hawaiʻi. The individual traveled internationally to a country where…
Maui Bus services to be altered Saturday due to Tropical Storm Lala
County of Maui / Maui Bus photos Due to Tropical Storm Lala, County of Maui Department of Transportation on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, will suspend or end early certain Maui Bus…
Hawaiʻi County hires Darryl Oliveira as acting Administrator for Civil Defense Agency
Darryl Oliveria, who previously served as the head of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency, will return as acting Administrator until the County hires a permanent leader. When…
Water conservation notice issued for Princeville, Kalihiwai Bay Estates and ʻAnini Road
Princeville Utilities Co. and the Department of Water issue a water conservation notice, affecting customers located on a portion of Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei Plantation Road in…
Update: Hawaiian Electric ends Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for Hawaiʻi Island
7:30 p.m. update: Hawaiian Electric ends Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for Hawaiʻi IslandNo PSPS outages implemented; storm preparations ongoingWith wildfire risk conditions…
Darryl Oliveira hired as Acting Administrator of Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
Darryl Oliveira served as interim Director for the Maui Emergency Management Agency in 2023 following the Maui Wildfires. He is now tapped to head the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense…
Holomua Kākou Lānaʻi visit postponed due to forecasted severe weather
Due to the forecasted severe weather from Tropical Storm Lala, Mayor Richard Bissenʻs annual Holomua Kākou talk-story gathering and drop-in centers on Lānaʻi slated for Aug…
County of Maui Lala Update: Temporary Evacuation Points, cancellations ahead of TS Lala impacts
South Maui gym being set up today as a Temporary Evacuation Point. PC: County of Maui Officials continue to urge preparedness as strengthening storm heads toward Big Island Ahead…
State officials urge precaution, vigilance as migratory birds return to Hawaiʻi
Avian influenza research at University of Hawaiʻi. (Courtesy Photo: University of Hawaiʻi) As migratory birds begin their seasonal return to Hawaiʻi, the state Department of…
Lahaina community invited to replant kalo patches at Apuakehau
Boy Scouts help with the Apuakehau kalo patch on Front Street in Lahaina. PC: Lahaina Restoration Foundation The Lahaina Restoration Foundation and the County of Maui Department…
Haleakalā National Park closes due to Tropical Storm Lala
Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot. PC: courtesy NPS Due to Tropical Storm Lala, both districts of Haleakalā National Park will close this evening— Kīpahulu District at 5 p.m…
Kauaʻi Coffee postpones Community Mahalo Party as severe weather threatens the Garden Island
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. on August 14. Kauaʻi Coffee has postponed its Community Mahalo Party, originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, due to the…
Additional changes made to Young Brothers shipping, cargo acceptance because of Tropical Storm Lala
The forecast track for Tropical Storm Lala is expected to bring storm surge and severe weather conditions to the Hawaiian Islands, some of which could begin as early as later…
State reminds consumers to review insurance policies before storm’s arrival
Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division encourages residents to take steps now — before the arrival of what is forecast to become Hurricane Lala —…
Volcano Watch: Using ocean noise to monitor for volcanic eruptions
“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Ocean swells are constantly beating on the ocean floor…
Young Brothers makes additional changes to shipping, cargo acceptance because of Tropical Storm Lala
The forecast track for Tropical Storm Lala is expected to bring storm surge and severe weather conditions to the Hawaiian Islands, some of which could begin as early as later…
BOH to temporarily close its Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County branches due to Lala
Bank of Hawaiʻi branch at Lahaina Cannery Mall. Due to Tropical Storm Lala, Bank of Hawai‘i will temporarily close all branch operations on Hawai‘i Island and Maui County…
Authorities charge woman in string of Hawaiʻi Island property crimes
A 47-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with multiple burglary, theft, and auto theft offenses stemming from five separate property crime investigations on Hawaiʻi…
Stay up-to-date on all weather and news with Big Island Now app
Big Island Now launched a major app update for mobile phones in July, providing users with breaking news alerts, faster loading, easier navigation and all the latest local news…
Guidance and resources from state tourism agency can help visitors weather Tropical Storm Lala
Tropical Storm Lala was about 420 miles east-southeast of Hilo, or about 640 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, at 5 a.m. today, still moving west-northwest at 12 mph toward the…
Consumers reminded to review insurance policies ahead of storm’s arrival
Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division encourages residents to take steps now — before the arrival of what is forecast to become Hurricane Lala —…
Volcano Watch: Using ocean noise to monitor for volcanic eruptions
“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Ocean swells are constantly beating on the ocean floor…
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority provides guidance, resources for visitors to weather Tropical Storm Lala
Tropical Storm Lala was about 420 miles east-southeast of Hilo, or about 640 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, at 5 a.m. today, still moving west-northwest at 12 mph toward the…
Heavy weather conditions increased again at ports by US Coast Guard as Tropical Storm Lala approaches
Another increase to port heavy weather conditions is scheduled today for all commercial ports of the Big Island as well as Maui and Kaua‘i counties and City and County of Honolulu…
Precaution, vigilance urged by state as migratory birds return to the Hawaiian Islands
Avian influenza research at University of Hawaiʻi. (Courtesy Photo: University of Hawaiʻi) As migratory birds begin their seasonal return to Hawaiʻi, the state Department of…
