Tropical Storm “Lala” – Important Storm Update

Lala remains a tropical storm and is projected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane within the next 24 hours. The storm is expected to draw near Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, with landfall possible, before passing south of the smaller islands through the weekend as a tropical storm.  Lala could begin impacting Hawaiʻi Island as early as tonight and is expected to affect other parts of the state throughout the weekend.

CURRENT WATCHES & WARNINGS

• Hurricane Warning – Hawaiʻi Island and surrounding waters (Friday through Saturday night)
• Tropical Storm Warning – Maui County (Saturday through Saturday night)
• Tropical Storm Watch –  Oʻahu and Kauaʻi (Saturday night through Sunday)
• Flood Watch – Eastern half of the state (Friday through Saturday night); Western half of the state (Saturday through Sunday)

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
It’s important to remember that significant impacts can occur well outside the center of the storm. Weather conditions could begin deteriorating on Hawaiʻi Island as early as tonight, with damaging winds and heavy rain possible. Heavy rain is expected to spread to Maui County on Saturday and to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi later Saturday into Sunday. This could result in flash flooding, rapidly rising streams, and hazardous travel conditions.  Strong winds could also affect portions of the state this weekend with tropical storm force winds (39 to 73 mph) possible on Oʻahu on Saturday night.

STAY INFORMED & PREPARED
We encourage everyone to remain informed and prepared as the storm approaches.  Please check your email and text messages regularly for any Saint Mark related updates regarding possible impacts, schedule changes, or operational changes. We also recommend monitoring trusted sources for real-time weather information:

• National Weather Service – Honolulu
• Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
• Pacific Disaster Center’s Disaster Alert app

We will continue to monitor the storm closely and will communicate any decisions affecting Saint Mark as conditions develop.

Please stay safe this weekend.

Mahalo nui!

The information in this update is based on guidance and information shared during today’s 8:00 a.m. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) / National Weather Service (NWS) briefing and the University of Hawaiʻi weather briefing.