Tropical Storm Lala Leaves One Dead and Thousands Without Power Across Hawaii

Thousands of residents across Hawaii were without electricity on Monday after Tropical Storm Lala uprooted trees and damaged power infrastructure from Honolulu to the Big Island. The storm, which weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm without making landfall, produced intense rain and flash flooding that isolated southern communities on the Big Island, blocked roads with debris and even disturbed grave sites.

Officials confirmed one fatality, a woman who had been reported missing in Naalehu and later found dead. The Hawaiian Electric utility reported that about 104,000 customers remained without power, and the island’s transmission system suffered extensive damage.

Public schools, many private schools and state offices were closed statewide, with additional closures on the Big Island scheduled for Tuesday. Cleanup crews began repairing bridges and clearing fallen trees, while drivers were urged to use alternate routes.

"My district is in shambles," state Rep. Jeanné Kapela said, describing the damage in the southern Kau district, including washed-out cemeteries and blocked roads in the small community of Punaluu.

Governor Josh Green expressed optimism that access to the affected areas would be restored within days and called for respect for those buried in the disturbed cemeteries. He pledged a swift recovery effort.

Federal officials pledged assistance, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said he had spoken with the Transportation Secretary about emergency funding to clear debris and repair roads.

National Hurricane Center forecasters noted that while surf and rip-current hazards persisted, the storm’s wind threat had passed as Lala moved westward. The heaviest rainfall was recorded at Laupahoehoe on the northeast coast, with 43.5 inches measured, and gusts reached 140 mph atop Mauna Kea.