Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala: Hurricane Warning Issued for Big Island as Storm Approaches

Hawaii tropical storm Lala is bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, with the National Hurricane Center posting a Hurricane Warning for Hawaii County (the Big Island) and expanding tropical storm watches and warnings across the rest of the island chain as of 5:00 AM HST on Friday, August 14, 2026. Forecasters Cangialosi and Pierce expect Hawaii tropical storm Lala to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island on Saturday, bringing life-threatening flooding, dangerous surf, and storm surge to the state.

Key points:

• Hurricane Warning in effect for Hawaii County (Big Island) as of Advisory 9 on Hawaii tropical storm Lala.
• Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.
• Tropical Storm Watch issued for Oahu and Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau.
• Rainfall totals up to 25 inches possible on the Big Island, which may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
• Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above ground level forecast for Hawaii County coastlines.
• No landfall is forecast. Tropical-storm-force winds reach 205 miles north of the center, so the islands sit in the dangerous northern semicircle.

Where Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala Stands Right Now

At the time of Advisory 9, issued at 5:00 AM HST Friday, the center of Hawaii tropical storm Lala was located near 16.7°N, 149.5°W, about 420 miles east-southeast of Hilo and about 635 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. The storm was moving west-northwest at 12 mph, or 290 degrees, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure was 997 mb, or 29.44 inches.

The NHC projects that Hawaii tropical storm Lala will hold its west-northwest track, carrying the core near the Big Island on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday. The forecast cone brings Lala to hurricane strength by early Saturday and holds it there as the center passes just south of the Big Island, then weakens it back to a tropical storm south of Oahu and Kauai through Sunday and Monday.

Read the wind field alongside that track, because it is what makes a near miss dangerous. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles north of the center, and the forecast carries the center along the south side of the chain. That places every island in the northern half of the circulation, so hazardous conditions arrive well ahead of the center and no landfall is needed to deliver them.

Lala is the only tropical cyclone active in the central Pacific. The same NOAA Tropical Weather Outlook, which covers the eastern and central North Pacific east of 180 longitude, also carries Tropical Storm Hernan well west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, plus two areas where low pressure could form early next week, one south of Mexico and one west-southwest of Baja. Each carries a 20 percent chance of formation through seven days, and neither threatens Hawaii.

Hazards from Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala: Wind, Rain, Surge, and Surf

The NHC identifies four hazard categories with Hawaii tropical storm Lala, and all four carry serious risk for residents and visitors this weekend.

Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected across Maui County Saturday night and are possible in Oahu and Kauai Counties on Sunday. The NHC notes that winds atop and on the windward sides of slopes and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface values in the advisory, and could be greater still at some elevated locations.

Rainfall and flooding: Hawaii tropical storm Lala is forecast to produce 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and the Big Island, with maximum totals of 25 inches possible on the Big Island. The rest of the island chain can expect 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts up to 8 inches. The NHC warns this rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

Storm surge: Coastal communities on the Big Island face surge inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level if the peak surge arrives at high tide. The NHC cautions that the deepest water will occur along the immediate coast and will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge flooding depends on the timing of the surge against the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.

Surf and rip currents: Swells generated by Hawaii tropical storm Lala are expected to reach east-facing shores of the state today, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across the island chain.

Meteorologist’s Take on Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala

The detail that matters most here is geometric, not thermodynamic. A center passing south of the islands sounds like a reprieve, but with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 205 miles north of the center, the entire chain sits on the strong side of the circulation. The Big Island does not need a direct hit to see hurricane conditions, which is exactly why the Hurricane Warning went up while the center was still more than 400 miles away.

Terrain does the rest. Tropical cyclones reaching the Hawaiian Islands are uncommon, and when they do arrive, the mountains of the Big Island force moist onshore flow upward and wring far more rain out of it than a flat coastline would see from the same storm. The 25-inch maximum on the Big Island against 2 to 4 inches for the rest of the chain is that orographic amplification written into the forecast numbers.

The escalation within a single advisory cycle is the other signal worth reading. Maui County went from watch to warning and new watches went up for Oahu and Kauai in one step, which points to rising forecaster confidence in both track and intensity. A Hurricane Warning is typically issued 36 hours before the first tropical-storm-force winds arrive, and those winds are what make outside preparation difficult or dangerous. The clock on safe preparation is shorter than the clock to the closest approach.

How to Stay Safe During Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala

Preparations on the Big Island need to be complete before Saturday. For Maui County, Saturday night is the deadline. Residents and visitors under a Hawaii tropical storm Lala warning or watch should act now, based on the specific hazards the NHC has identified.

• Flooding and mudslides: If you live in a low-lying area, a flood-prone valley, or on steep terrain, move to higher ground before conditions deteriorate. Do not wait for water to begin rising.
• Storm surge: Evacuate coastal areas in Hawaii County if local officials order it. Surge can arrive quickly and cut off escape routes.
• Surf and rip currents: Stay out of the water this weekend across all islands. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are forecast even on islands under watch status.
• Wind: Secure or bring indoors any outdoor object that could become a projectile. Avoid travel once tropical storm or hurricane conditions begin.
• Elevation: If you live on a ridge or windward slope, plan for gusts up to 30 percent stronger than the advisory values.

Watches and warnings on Hawaii tropical storm Lala are changing with each advisory cycle, with intermediate advisories every three hours. Stay current by monitoring active weather alerts on iAlert, and check your local weather forecast for island-specific timing as advisories continue through the weekend.

Hawaii Tropical Storm Lala FAQ

Which island faces the greatest risk from Hawaii tropical storm Lala?

The Big Island faces the greatest risk. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaii County, and the NHC expects hurricane conditions there on Saturday, along with up to 25 inches of rainfall and 1 to 3 feet of storm surge.

Will Tropical Storm Lala make landfall in Hawaii?

No landfall is forecast. The NHC track carries the center near the Big Island on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday. Because tropical-storm-force winds extend 205 miles north of the center, the islands still face hurricane and tropical storm conditions without a direct hit.

How strong are Hawaii tropical storm Lala’s winds right now, and will they increase?

Maximum sustained winds are 60 mph as of the 5:00 AM HST Friday advisory. The NHC forecasts steady strengthening, with Lala expected to reach hurricane intensity as it approaches the Big Island on Saturday.

Is Oahu under a warning or a watch?

Oahu is under a Tropical Storm Watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Conditions could deteriorate on Sunday, and the watch may be upgraded on a later advisory.

When will dangerous surf arrive from Hawaii tropical storm Lala?

Swells are expected to reach east-facing shores of the state today, Friday, then spread westward and build through the weekend. The NHC expects these swells to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across the entire island chain.

Sources:

• NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Lala Advisory Number 9, 5:00 AM HST August 14, 2026 (WTPA32 PHFO 141443, Forecaster Cangialosi/Pierce)
• NOAA National Hurricane Center, Eastern and Central North Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook, 5:00 AM PDT August 14, 2026
• NOAA National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific active storms and graphics