Weeks after Hurricane Lala devastation, Hawaii Island continues to recover

News admin August 31, 2026 0 Comments

Weeks after Hurricane Lala devastation, Hawaii Island continues to recover

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Multiple state departments are coordinating recovery efforts following the impacts of tropical cyclone Lala, which passed south of the islands first as a hurricane then a tropical storm Aug. 15-16.

The storm brought intense flooding and strong winds to several islands, leaving behind significant, widespread damage, especially to the Kaʻū District of Hawaiʻi Island.

Approximately 690 homes and structures were damaged across the state, officials said Monday. This includes properties belonging to residents who are still recovering from previous disasters, such as the March Kona Low storms and a 6.0-magnitude earthquake.

Flooding also uncovered human remains and iwi, which officials said require specialized care and cultural sensitivity to ensure proper identification and return.

RELATED POST: Hurricane Lala recovery enters new phase on Hawaii Island

State emergency response and military assistance

Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation ahead of Lala to position state resources and enable response teams, including the Hawaiʻi National Guard, to deploy quickly. Green also requested and received a presidential disaster declaration to support recovery efforts in Kaʻū and address impacts at Nāʻālehu Cemetery.

To accelerate power grid restoration on Hawaiʻi Island, Gov. Green and Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan launched Operation TREK808. The joint effort brought together the Pacific Air Forces, the Hawaiʻi National Guard, Southern California Edison, and Hawaiian Electric. Military and civilian teams used two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to transport 143,790 pounds of utility equipment and vehicles from California to Hilo.

As of Monday, Hawaiian Electric completed repairs to its electric systems across Hawaiʻi Island that were damaged by Hurricane Lala. Power was restored to all customers one week ahead of the previous Sept. 8 estimated timeframe. Service to Kaʻū Hospital was restored last Thursday, representing a major milestone in HECO’s restoration efforts.

At its peak, the Hawaiʻi National Guard had more than 240 personnel clearing debris, conducting search-and-rescue operations, extracting and identifying remains, conducting wellness checks, performing rapid damage assessments, and coordinating recovery equipment transportation.

While operations have concluded on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, guardsmen continue to support Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

Infrastructure and school repairs

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is continuing road repairs and stream clearing. Officials said Kaʻalaea, Kaukonahua, Waiawa, and Waiāhole streams have been cleared, along with drains, culverts, and construction site filters.

The Department of Accounting and General Services is working with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education to restore school facilities at Nāʻālehu Elementary School.

Classes at Kaʻū and Pāhala Elementary resumed on Monday, Aug. 31 with generators supporting the administrative office and cafeteria. School, complex area and HIDOE teams are working to ensure essential operational needs can be met, including water service, meals and other necessary services.

To support children and families in Kaʻū, the Department of Education has been providing free boxes of nonperishable meals to residents 18 and under in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View. Each box contains five breakfasts and five lunches meeting nutritional standards.

Public safety and reservoir monitoring

The Department of Land and Natural Resources warned the public that recent storm hazards still pose safety risks, including rising stream levels, flash flooding, falling trees, landslides, storm surge, and high surf.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, alongside the Agricultural Development Corporation, monitored the Wahiawā Reservoir water levels and dam structures.

Workers installed an AquaDam to increase spillway capacity by 1.5 to 2 feet and lowered water levels through controlled daily releases of 85 million gallons ahead of Tropical Storm Moke, which passed farther south of the islands one week after Lala.

Health, housing, and financial assistance

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health operated statewide with transit and aircraft on standby, opened mental health clinics across Hawaiʻi Island, and monitored infectious disease threats.

The DOH-funded Parent Line is also replacing essential baby items, such as cribs and car seats, that were damaged by the flooding.

The Department of Human Services is assisting residents with temporary housing and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) replacement benefits. Replacement statements can be submitted statewide, except at the Kaʻū–Nāʻālehu and Kohala offices, which remain closed.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency worked to distribute storm updates and safety tips, and assisted affected residents with temporary housing.

To provide financial relief, the Department of Taxation is waiving penalties from Aug. 20, 2026, to October 20, 2026, for residents impacted by Lala.

Residents seeking resources or assistance can call United Way at 211 or visit ready.hawaii.gov.