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A rare hurricane landfall threat for Hawaii’s Big Island as strengthening Tropical Storm Lala nears

This NOAA satellite image taken at 5:22 p.m. 14, 2026, shows Tropical Storm Lala as it approaches Hawaii’s Big Island. (NOAA via AP) HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii’s Big Island this weekend, forecasters said Friday, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires. The National Hurricane Center said Lala should be at hurricane strength by the time it approaches the Big Island early Saturday. If it makes landfall there, it would be the first to do so since 1871. Officials and residents braced for Lala regardless of whether Hawaii takes a direct hit.

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Scoop News DeskHawaii · Published Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:55 PM UTCUpdated Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 4:04 AM UTC

Coverage image for: A rare hurricane landfall threat for Hawaii’s Big Island as strengthening Tropical Storm Lala nears

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Back then, according to a University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist’s research of newspaper accounts, a Category 3 hurricane hit the northeast corner of the island, said Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. “First time since satellites,” Almanza said. “The latest forecast has it very close to the southern tip of the Big Island.” A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, and a tropical storm warning was in effect for Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.

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Dated changes to this report are shown here as they are published.

Version 2unpublished
Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 2:28 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 3published
Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 3:48 AM UTC
This NOAA satellite image taken at 5:22 p.m. 14, 2026, shows Tropical Storm Lala as it approaches Hawaii’s Big Island. (NOAA via AP) HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii’s Big Island this weekend, forecasters said Friday, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires. The National Hurricane Center said Lala should be at hurricane strength by the time it approaches the Big Island early Saturday. If it makes landfall there, it would be the first to do so since 1871. Officials and residents braced for Lala regardless of whether Hawaii takes a direct hit.
Version 4unpublished
Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 4:04 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy