Hurricane Lala Wipes Out 100 Homes on Hawaii's Big Island
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- Hurricane Lala triggered flash floods and mudslides on Hawaii's Big Island that swept more than 100 properties from their foundations, though Governor Josh Green said it was "amazingly" the case that no wider loss of life appeared linked to the destroyed homes.
- The Category 1 storm dumped up to 32 inches (81cm) of rain despite not making landfall, with its eyewall passing within 30 miles of Big Island's South Point overnight.
- One person died in a car accident during the storm, and Maui residents were left without water supply on Saturday.
- Roughly 219,000 customers lost electricity across Hawaii by Sunday afternoon, and three hospitals lost power but continued operating on backup generators.
- Governor Josh Green deployed 180 Hawaii National Guard members, postponed about 190 flights, and briefly shut Big Island's two main airports — Hilo International and Ellison Onizuka Kona — before they reopened.
- Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for all eight of Hawaii's major islands as Lala weakened to 65mph winds and tracked westward south of the state.
- Context: the last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Category 4 Iniki in 1992, which killed six people and caused $3bn in damage on Kauai.
Why it matters: A storm that never officially made landfall still destroyed more than 100 homes and knocked out power for roughly 219,000 customers — a reminder for Hawaii residents, insurers, and emergency planners that indirect tropical-storm impacts can be severe even when the eye passes offshore.
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