NEWS RELEASE: STATE OF HAWAIʻI TAKES ACTION AHEAD OF TROPICAL STORM LALA
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KAUA
HAWAI‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
KE‘ENA HO‘OMALU PŌULIA O HAWAI‘I
HAWAIʻI JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
STATE OF HAWAIʻI TAKES ACTION AHEAD OF
TROPICAL STORM LALA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2026
Lala-JIC-2026-002
HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi state agencies are taking action and preparing resources in advance of Tropical Storm Lala as it approaches the state. Governor Josh Green has signed an emergency proclamation as Hawaiʻi state agencies mobilize personnel, equipment and other resources ahead of Tropical Storm Lala. The proclamation ensures resources are available to protect public health and safety and support emergency response and recovery efforts as the storm approaches the state.
The following are the latest updates on state actions and preparation:
HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD
The Hawaiʻi National Guard (HING) is prepared to support federal, state and county emergency response efforts as Tropical Storm Lala approaches the Hawaiian Islands.
- Task Force Hawaiʻi, made up of 25 Hawaiʻi National Guard personnel, has been stood up in anticipation of potential impacts beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.
- Approximately 160 Guard personnel are being positioned to support response operations statewide including high-wheeled vehicle teams in each county.
- HING leaders will continuously assess conditions and coordinate with federal, state, county and active-duty military partners.
HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
All Hawaiʻi airport facilities are open and operating normally. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will continue to work with airline partners to keep passengers updated on any schedule changes. HDOT asks that all passengers check with their air carrier for status before heading to the airport.
HDOT will post travel-related storm updates for airports, highways and harbors on its social media pages, as well as on the Weather-Related Traffic Alerts page on its website.
Streams — Streams throughout the state system were prioritized by those deemed most impactful to flooding conditions during storm events.
Vegetation Management – Since 2023, HDOT has been collaborating with county fire departments to remove vegetation in areas with high risk for wildfire ignition.
Firebreaks — HDOT has continued to cut firebreaks on Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi in high-risk areas.
HDOT Outreach to Houseless Persons — All individuals have been offered outreach and informed of the impending storm. Most within HDOT rights-of-way were allowed to stay within their area but instructed not to obstruct the right-of-way. We would prefer not to remove and dispose of tents or makeshift tarp coverings as most have no other means of cover. All other materials directly blocking a right of way, or under bridges and along streams, were removed for safety reasons.
Pictures of the storm prep can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Lala album on the HDOT Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiDepartmentOfTransportation
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Stream Channel Clearings – The DLNR land maintenance teams and agents have been working with with the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation to clear the stream and trees in Mānoa Valley. A contractor will be on-site tomorrow in Waiawa to start clearing the stream from the watercress farm. The footbridge/bike path area was cleared of debris today and the contractor will check the post-storm conditions on Monday.
Dam Safety – DLNR Flood Risk Management Section has no dam safety concerns or dangers to report.
Regulated dam owners statewide have been notified to prepare and review their emergency action plans and prepare response resources (e.g., contractors, equipment rentals, etc.).
In accordance with established Dam Safety Emergency Action Plans, dam owners are to inspect their facilities and notify DLNR and county emergency management agencies of any issues that may arise.
Dam Evacuation Zone Map Viewer – The DLNR Dam Evacuation Zones website is a tool residents and businesses can use to learn if they are in a dam evacuation area.
Do I Live in a Dam Evacuation Zone?
https://waihalana.hawaii.gov/2026/04/10/do-i-live-in-a-dam-evacuation-zone/
Useful storm preparation information is available on the DLNR’s Waihalana blog.
Emergency Management Agency Contacts
https://waihalana.hawaii.gov/ema-contacts/
Know Your Flood Risks – Use the DLNR Flood Hazard Assessment Tool to view maps of special flood hazard areas from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
Monitor Real-Time Stream Conditions – In partnership with the DLNR Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) and other state and county agencies, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides publicly accessible, near-real-time data on stream level discharge at 88 monitoring locations across the five main Hawaiian Islands through its Water Data for the Nation website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/state/hawaii/
Because conditions can change rapidly between updates and gauges can be damaged by severe weather, the public should continue to follow official warnings and alerts from the National Weather Service, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, as well as county emergency management agencies – and use their own judgment when conditions appear unsafe.
For those who wish to receive notifications, the USGS also offers WaterAlert, a free service that sends text or e-mail updates when water levels at selected gauges reach user-defined thresholds: https://accounts.waterdata.usgs.gov/wateralert/
Unauthorized stream channel alterations – CWRM also reminds landowners and operators that unauthorized stream channel alterations, particularly work involving heavy machinery, can divert flood waters onto neighboring properties.
HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Department Operations Center (DOC) is monitoring Tropical Storm Lala and coordinating preparedness activities with county, state and federal partners.
The DOC is coordinating with representatives from:
- Emergency Medical Systems
- Disease Outbreak
- Public Health Nursing
- Environmental Health
- Behavioral Health
- Disability Access and Functional Needs
- Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island district health offices
DOH has also established a Hurricane Preparedness website with health-related information and resources for residents before, during and after the storm. DOH will provide updates through its social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
HAWAIʻI STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced that school-sponsored extracurricular activities, athletics and community use of school facilities over the weekend are canceled.
- Friday at 5:30 p.m. through Sunday: All HIDOE campuses and offices on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi will close.
- Saturday and Sunday: All Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses and offices will close.
A decision regarding school operations for Monday will be made through official channels as information becomes available and will be communicated to families and staff.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING
The Executive Office on Early Learning will follow all HIDOE decisions regarding storm-related school and campus closures. If HIDOE closes schools or campuses, EOEL Public Pre-K classrooms at affected schools will also be closed.
HAWAIʻI STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION
The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Lala and its potential impacts across the state.
School Updates for Aug. 14
Early dismissal:
School closures:
HAWAIʻI STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System will temporarily close the Hilo Public Library, Kailua-Kona Public Library and Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
All Hawaiʻi Island programs have also been canceled for Saturday, August 15.
Check www.librarieshawaii.org for updates.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI
UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College – Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College will temporarily close all campuses, offices and off-campus locations from Saturday, August 15 through Sunday, August 16, 2026.
All weekend events, including athletic events, are canceled.Normal operations for both campuses are currently scheduled to resume on Monday, August 17, 2026, pending post-storm facility evaluations.
Special Facilities Closed:
- ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.
- Maunakea Visitors Center is closed. Access past the Visitors Center is strictly restricted to essential personnel.
UH Hilo Residential Students – On-campus residence halls remain open, and Residence Life staff members are actively present to assist on-campus students through the duration of the storm. The residence halls are relatively empty as students begin moving in next week.
UH Mānoa – The Rainbow Wahine soccer games have been moved from Sunday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
DHS is in an enhanced state of readiness as the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF-6), which coordinates mass care, emergency assistance, temporary housing and human services during disasters.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Residents are urged to review insurance policies and prepare now, before damage happens.
Steps to Take Now
- Keep copies of property, flood and auto insurance policies — in a waterproof folder or secure digital storage.
- Create a home inventory: photos/videos of furniture, appliances and valuables.
- Save receipts for high-value items.
Key Fact to Know
- Most standard homeowners, condo and renters policies do NOT cover flood damage.
- Flood insurance is separate — through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
- More information is available at floodsmart.gov or by talking to your insurance agent.
The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has many resources available online, such as My Insurance Doesn’t Cover What? and Flood Insurance Basics. If you need additional assistance, contact DCCA at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or visit cca.hawaii.gov/ins.
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES
DAGS Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) is monitoring major and critical IT infrastructure that serves state government services. ETS has activated its 24-hour emergency staffing schedule.
Building crews have readied base yards across five islands and ensured generators that power DAGS-managed facilities are fully fueled.
DAGS has also ensured all state partners and contractors are on standby in case of weather-related problems at any site.
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM
In preparation for Tropical Storm Lala, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and its programs are taking the following steps to support residents, visitors and partners:
Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) — Preparations and notifications have been implemented for Waiahole Valley on Oʻahu and Leialiʻi on Maui; contractors are on standby.
Hawai‘i State Energy Office (HSEO) – Monitoring and coordinating with utilities and fuel suppliers to identify potential impacts ahead of the storm.
Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) — HTDC is coordinating preparations at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Honolulu and the Maui Research and Technology Center in Kīhei by notifying tenants and other users and reviewing upcoming events and facility operations.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) — HTA is sharing clear, consistent guidance with current visitors, those planning trips to Hawaiʻi and the visitor industry in Hawaiʻi and worldwide.
- Industry updates and visitor safety resources will continue to be distributed regularly through HTA’s website and by email to more than 9,000 industry partners globally, including travel advisors, tour operators, airline partners, national travel media and MCI (meetings, conventions and incentives) groups.
- Direct visitor messaging, including active weather alerts and island-by-island conditions and closures, will continue through GoHawaiʻi social media channels, the GoHawaiʻi website alert banner and dedicated landing page, the GoHawaiʻi app through push and in-app alerts, and the 1-800-GOHAWAII call center.
The slide deck presented by the Governor can be found here.
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