Lala Cleanup Continues In Hawaii As Mudslide Destroys Homes On Big Island
A mudslide over the weekend of August 15-16, 2026, swept through Waiohinu on Hawaii's Big Island, destroying about a dozen homes and leaving remote residents cut off as cleanup continued Monday.[1]
Residents said boulders in the slide were large enough to shake the ground, and they reported little outside help had reached the community as of Monday.[1] Across the Big Island, authorities said roughly 100 homes were swept from their foundations or otherwise damaged.[2] More than 100,000 customers remained without power on Monday, and bridges and roads were washed away, leaving some communities entirely cut off.[1] State and county offices, public schools and courts were closed, and multiple shelters were opened to help displaced residents.[1]
Tropical Storm Lala formed near Hawaii on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and forecasters issued a hurricane watch for the Big Island as the system approached.[3] Forecasts warned of heavy rain, with higher windward slopes of the Big Island projected to receive up to 35 inches and face life-threatening mudslide risks.[4] The storm briefly strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane and its eye passed about 30 miles off the Big Island, bringing gusts over 80 mph before it weakened while moving west.[1]
PBS and other outlets warned days earlier that Lala could strengthen into a hurricane and dump life-threatening rain on steep, off-grid areas.[5] Later coverage by CBS and PBS documented the storm's damage on the ground, including the Waiohinu mudslide and entire communities still cut off as organized cleanup began Monday.[1]
Show source details & analysis (12 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Tropical Storm Lala formed near Hawaii on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the Big Island as the storm was forecast to approach near‑hurricane strength (Tropical Storm Lala).
- Forecasters projected up to 35 inches of total rainfall on higher‑altitude windward slopes of the Big Island, creating life‑threatening mudslide and flooding risks for steep and off‑grid communities (up to 35 inches).
- A mudslide over the weekend destroyed about a dozen homes in the small community of Waiohinu on the Big Island's southern coast (Waiohinu).
- Authorities said roughly 100 homes across the Big Island were swept from their foundations or otherwise damaged during Lala's pass, although officials reported that no deaths were believed to have occurred from those washouts (roughly 100 homes).
- By Sunday morning, August 16, 2026, more than 130,000 households across Hawaii's three largest islands were without power and at least three hospitals were operating on generator power; officials also reported at least one storm‑related death in a car crash near South Point and launched multi‑agency search‑and‑rescue operations in Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu (more than 130,000 households).
- Measured extremes included 43.54 inches of rainfall at Laupahoehoe on the Big Island — the highest measured total in the state — and wind gusts atop Mauna Kea reaching 140 mph (Laupahoehoe).
- The eye of then‑Category 1 Hurricane Lala passed about 30 miles off the Big Island over the weekend, bringing gusts over 80 mph and torrential rain before the system weakened back to a tropical storm as it moved west (eye of then‑Category 1 Hurricane Lala).
- Organized cleanup began across the main islands by Monday, August 17, 2026; meanwhile state and county offices, public schools and courts were closed and multiple shelters had been opened to assist affected residents (cleanup began).
📰 Source Timeline (12)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
August 18, 2026
1:31 AM
Homes destroyed by mudslide brought by Lala on Hawaii's Big Island
New information:
- In the small community of Waiohinu on Hawaii's Big Island, a mudslide over the weekend of August 15-16, 2026 swept through and destroyed about a dozen homes.
- Residents in Waiohinu say boulders in the mudslide were large enough to shake the ground and report that CBS News was the first outside presence they had seen since the storm.
- As of Monday, August 17, 2026, more than 100,000 customers across the Hawaiian Islands remained without power, according to poweroutage.us.
- The eye of then-Category 1 Hurricane Lala passed about 30 miles off the Big Island's coast over the weekend, bringing wind gusts over 80 mph and torrential rain, with some locations seeing more than 3 feet of rain; Kapalua in Maui County recorded 48 inches.
- Bridges on the Big Island were washed away and several communities have been entirely cut off from the rest of the island, leaving Waiohinu residents to rely on each other in the absence of emergency services.
- All Hawaii state and county offices, state Department of Education schools and public charter schools, courts and judiciary offices were closed on Monday, August 17, 2026 because of the storm impacts.
- By Monday night, Lala had weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, but the National Hurricane Center expected it to regain hurricane strength over open Pacific waters by late Tuesday.
August 17, 2026
5:48 PM
Cleanup begins in Hawaii after intense rain and flooding from Hurricane Lala
New information:
- The article, published Monday, August 17, 2026, reports that Tropical Storm Lala has moved west of Hawaii and that organized cleanup efforts are beginning across the main islands.
- National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Blood said on August 17 there are "no real looming hazards" remaining for Hawaii aside from life-threatening surf, rip currents, and possible landslides from saturated ground.
- Laupahoehoe on the northeast coast of the Big Island recorded 43.54 inches of rainfall from Lala, the highest measured total in the state.
- Wind gusts on Mauna Kea reached 140 mph, while lower elevations across the island chain experienced sustained tropical-storm-force winds of 30–40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
- Authorities said the storm swept roughly 100 homes from their foundations on the Big Island but Gov. Josh Green stated Sunday that no deaths are believed to have occurred from those washouts.
- By Monday, August 17, there were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii, though the National Hurricane Center continued to warn of dangerous surf and rip currents as Lala moved west and was forecast to reintensify into a hurricane far from land by Wednesday.
12:51 AM
Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii, weakens to tropical storm
New information:
- CBS reports on Sunday, August 16, 2026, that the Big Island of Hawaii was 'sideswiped' by Hurricane Lala over the weekend, avoiding a direct hit but still suffering significant damage.
- The segment cites Hawaii's governor saying that at least 100 homes on the Big Island were damaged or lost during Lala's pass.
- CBS reiterates that as of August 16, 2026, Lala has weakened back to a tropical storm but the danger is not over for the Hawaiian island chain.
August 16, 2026
3:47 PM
Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across Hawaii
New information:
- As of early Sunday, August 16, 2026, Hurricane Lala had weakened again to a tropical storm after skirting Hawaii without making landfall but was still producing hurricane-force gusts on the Big Island.
- Forecasters now expect total rainfall of nearly three feet on higher windward slopes of the Big Island, with some high-altitude areas potentially receiving up to 35 inches of rain, enough to threaten mudslides and off‑grid communities on steep slopes.
- The National Hurricane Center reported at 2 a.m. Sunday that Lala was centered about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and about 100 miles south of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 175 miles from the center.
- Tropical storm conditions are spreading westward from Maui to Oahu and then Kauai, with warnings in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, and forecasters say Lala could regain hurricane strength midweek once it moves well west of the islands.
- Gov. Josh Green said more than 130,000 households across Hawaii's three largest islands were without power Sunday morning and that at least three hospitals were operating on generator power.
- Officials confirmed at least one storm-related death in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island and reported that 19 roofs were lost and more than 30 road sites had been impacted.
- Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said early Sunday that a multi‑agency search‑and‑rescue operation involving Civil Defense, the National Guard and the Coast Guard was underway after flash floods apparently swept several occupied homes off their foundations in the Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu coastal communities near the island's southern tip.
- Authorities warned that strong winds associated with Lala could also elevate wildfire risks even as the storm continues to pose destructive flooding threats as it moves west across the island chain.
2:44 PM
Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across the Hawaiian islands
New information:
- By early Sunday, August 16, 2026, Hurricane Lala had weakened back to a tropical storm after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, while still delivering hurricane-force gusts to parts of the Big Island.
- Forecasters project up to 35 inches of total rainfall on higher-altitude windward slopes of the Big Island by the time Lala fully departs, with nearly three feet already expected on higher windward slopes and warnings of mudslides and rivers turned into torrents.
- As of Sunday morning, more than 130,000 households were without power across Hawaii's three largest islands, and at least three hospitals were operating on generator power, Gov. Josh Green said.
- Gov. Green reported at least one storm-related death in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island and said 19 roofs had been lost in the storm, with road damage at more than 30 sites.
- Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said early Sunday that a multi-agency search-and-rescue mission was underway after flash floods apparently swept several occupied homes off their foundations in the coastal communities of Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu near the island's southern tip.
- As of 2 a.m. Sunday in Hawaii (August 16, 2026), Lala was located about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and about 100 miles south of Honolulu, moving northwest at about 15 mph with sustained winds of 70 mph and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 175 miles from its center.
- Tropical storm warnings remained in effect Sunday for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau as Lala moves west, with forecasters noting that winds on mountain peaks and slopes can run about 30 percent stronger than surface winds.
- Forecasters expect Lala to regain hurricane strength by midweek once it is well west of the Hawaiian island chain.
12:13 AM
Hawaii governor calls state of emergency as hurricane Lala expected to pummel Big Island
New information:
- On Saturday, August 15, 2026, Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency in Hawaii ahead of Hurricane Lala’s expected impact on the Big Island.
- The article reports that Lala has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane as it nears the Big Island, after previously being described as a tropical storm.
- CBS characterizes expected impacts as heavy rain with life-threatening flooding and mudslides as the storm approaches.
August 15, 2026
3:17 PM
Hawaii's Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in
New information:
- By early Saturday, August 15, 2026, Tropical Storm Lala was already "whipping and soaking" Hawaii's Big Island with strong rain and wind.
- The National Hurricane Center reiterated that Lala is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches, and that it would be the first hurricane to make landfall on the Big Island in 155 years based on historical newspaper research.
- Forecasters now specify that higher elevations on the Big Island could receive up to 25 inches of rain, with life-threatening mudslide risk in mountainous off‑grid communities living in improvised housing.
- Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 220 miles from Lala's center and are expected to reach Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning, August 16, 2026.
- As of 2 a.m. local time Saturday, August 15, Lala was about 140 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and moving west-northwest at 13 mph.
- Officials report shelters are scheduled to open and multiple events have been canceled across the islands in anticipation of dangerous conditions.
- State Rep. Jeanné Kapela, who traveled from Honolulu to the Big Island, urged residents—especially those in unpermitted off‑grid structures—to relocate to safer homes or shelters if their roofs or structures seem unlikely to withstand hurricane-force winds.
- The article notes that many parts of Hawaii are still recovering from severe flooding in March 2026, increasing concern about additional heavy rain from Lala.
August 14, 2026
1:45 PM
Hurricane warning issued for the Big Island of Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala approaches
New information:
- As of Thursday, August 13, 2026, the National Hurricane Center upgraded its alert to a hurricane warning for Hawaii County (Big Island) and issued a tropical storm watch for Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.
- On August 13, 2026, Tropical Storm Lala was about 455 miles (735 km) east-southeast of Hilo and 670 miles (1,075 km) east-southeast of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph while moving west-northwest.
- Forecasters now project rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island, with localized amounts up to 25 inches on the Big Island, posing a risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
- Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches and to be near the Big Island on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
- The article reiterates that Tropical Storm Hernan, which formed the same day in the eastern Pacific, is weakening and not threatening land.
12:20 PM
Hawaii County mayor braces for Lala's potential hurricane fury
New information:
- On Friday, August 14, 2026, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda discussed local emergency preparedness steps as Tropical Storm Lala approaches and could strengthen into a hurricane.
- Alameda outlined that county authorities are actively planning and coordinating storm readiness measures specific to Hawaii County in anticipation of Lala's potential impacts.
12:10 PM
Tropical Storm Lala threatens Hawaii with harsh flooding and potential hurricane status
New information:
- On Friday, August 14, 2026, CBS reported that Tropical Storm Lala may reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall in Hawaii.
- The CBS segment characterizes the upcoming impacts as 'harsh flooding,' underscoring expected significant flood risk in addition to wind concerns.
- Correspondent Jarred Hill provided an updated on-air briefing that Lala is headed toward Hawaii with the potential to be a hurricane at landfall, building on earlier advisories that focused on a hurricane watch and heavy rain.
August 13, 2026
5:11 PM
Tropical storm forms near Hawaii, hurricane watch issued for the Big Island
New information:
- On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the disturbance near Hawaii strengthened into Tropical Storm Lala with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
- The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the Big Island of Hawaii on August 13 as Lala is forecast to approach near-hurricane strength.
- Lala was located about 700 miles east-southeast of Hawaii on August 13, moving west, with forecast tracks bringing it near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands through the weekend.
- Forecasters project rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across the Hawaiian Islands, with localized amounts up to 20 inches, raising risks of flooding and mudslides.
- The National Hurricane Center warned that wind speeds on the windward sides of hills and mountains can be up to 30% stronger than the near-surface winds cited in the advisory.
- The article reiterates that separate Tropical Storm Hernan has formed in the eastern Pacific about 1,460 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California and is not expected to threaten land.