Lala became a hurricane Saturday and prompted a warning for Hawaii's Big Island.
Why it matters: A close pass or landfall could disrupt tourism, ports and infrastructure across Hawaii. The warning also signals a high-impact weather event for an island state that rarely sees direct hurricane hits.
- The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii County's Big Island.
- Maui County was under a tropical storm warning.
- Lala was about 90 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph.
- Forecasters said the storm could bring 8 to 12 inches of rain to Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island.
Tropical Storm Lala strengthened into a hurricane on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, as it moved toward Hawaii's Big Island, according to the latest forecast updates and positioning from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service in Honolulu. The storm was about 90 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. National Hurricane Center Weather Service in Honolulu
The hurricane warning covers Hawaii County's Big Island, while Maui County is under a tropical storm warning. Those alerts mean damaging winds and flooding rain are possible as the system moves through the islands. Weather Service in Honolulu
Forecasters said Lala could drop 8 to 12 inches of rain on Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, with 4 to 6 inches across the rest of the island chain. The latest track will determine whether the center passes east or west of the islands, which will affect where the strongest winds and heaviest rain fall. AP
The biggest business risk is from travel disruption, port operations and local infrastructure if the storm slows or shifts closer to land. Hawaii's island geography can make even a near miss disruptive for flights, shipping and utility service.
By the numbers
- 70 mph - maximum sustained winds near Lala's center
- 90 miles - distance southeast of South Point, Hawaii, where the storm was located
- 8 to 12 inches - forecast rainfall on Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island
Yes, but: The biggest uncertainty is the track: forecasters still need to determine whether Lala's center passes east or west of the islands, which will change wind, rain and flooding impacts. Rainfall totals could also shift if the storm slows or strengthens.
What's next: The National Hurricane Center and Weather Service will update watches, warnings and the forecast track as Lala moves past Hawaii on Aug. 15-16, 2026.