Puna residents brace for Tropical Storm Lala as impact concerns grow

HAWAII ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) – There are growing concerns from Puna residents Friday as Tropical Storm Lala approaches Hawaii Island with possible hurricane-force winds for the southernmost areas.

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Residents were seen filling cars, gas cans and tying things down. They said they’re worried about blocked roads and blackouts.

Albizia trees are soft, brittle and don’t take much wind for the branches to fall and cause all kinds of havoc.

Pahoa resident Tisha Woytenko lives alone and said her main concern was the power outages and trees that could hit power lines or fall on people’s homes.

“The super tall albizia trees that fall on the power lines and fall on people’s homes and block the roads, they’re just overgrown,” she said.

During the March Kona lows, her area was without power for two-and-a-half days, which she said was unexpected and unacceptable.

Woytenko added that she’s also worried about being trapped in her neighborhood, since Government Beach Road is the only emergency route available.

“I don’t even have a vehicle. Things do cross my mind. I stocked up on food, so I’m good with that. I tied up my loose objects and things,” she said.

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Doug Kuzo, a Hawaiian Sanctuary resident, said it’s not the rain, but the wind that “will get us in trouble.”

“We did take our tarps and vulnerable stuff down, and it got twisted. Some of these tarps that you use for your carport. You won’t believe how twisted they were they just took them and tied them into pretzels,” he said.

Kuzo hopes Lala will dive under Hawaii Island within the last 100 miles or so before the forecasted impact.

“We have our fingers crossed everybody stays safe,” he said.

The county is warning that it doesn’t take a hurricane for impacts to be felt.

The Pahoa Community Center is one of the dozen shelters that will open at 6 p.m. on Hawaii Island.

Families had already dropped by to try to drop off items. They’re bringing water, goods and one brought a shower curtain. Not for showering but for privacy, especially as more people arrive here.

One family said they will be staying at the shelter because their home is too old to withstand any wind and rain.

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View a full list of open shelters here.