Tropical Storm Lala is tracking toward the Hawaiian Islands this weekend and could strengthen into the first hurricane on record to make landfall on the Big Island.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii’s Big Island, including Hilo, while the rest of the state remains under tropical storm warnings. Lala is forecast to make landfall or pass near the island’s southern tip by Saturday afternoon.
Meteorologists warn that severe impacts will occur regardless of the storm’s exact center. Northern and eastern sections of the Big Island face 12 to 18 inches of rain, with localized peaks reaching 30 inches that could trigger flash floods and mudslides.
Wind gusts may reach 60 to 80 mph on the Big Island, with localized gusts up to 100 mph threatening power grids. Other islands can expect 4 to 8 inches of rain and gusts up to 60 mph.
Direct hits remain extremely rare in the region.
“Tropical Storms Darby in 2016 and Iselle in 2014 are the only tropical storms to ever make landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell said. “A hurricane has never made landfall on the Big Island.”
Experts noted the storm’s similarities to past near-misses that still caused extensive damage.
“One storm that closely resembles Lala was Hurricane Hone in late August of 2024. Hone passed about 50 miles south of the Big Island as a Category 1 hurricane,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. “Despite never making landfall in Hawaii, Hone brought more than 2 feet of rain to portions of the Big Island, causing significant flooding, as well as winds in excess of 70 mph.”
Lala is the eighth named system in an active eastern Pacific hurricane season driven by a strengthening El Niño pattern.
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