What you need to know about Tropical Storm Lala on the Big Island
Tropical Storm Lāla has strengthened, prompting a hurricane warning for the Hawaiian Islands, and Governor Josh Green has declared a state of emergency; residents on the Big Island are advised to prepare.
7 hours ago
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. on August 13, 2026.
Tropical Storm Lala has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and is getting stronger as it heads toward the Hawaiian Islands. Here is what you need to know on the Big Island.
This information will be regularly updated.
State Emergency Proclamation: Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation on Thursday declaring a state of emergency for Hawai‘i ahead.
Free sand for sand bags: The Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works is providing sand piles throughout the island to enable residents to make their own sandbags ahead of possible flash flooding. You must bring your own bags.
Empty jute sandbags are available at a variety of hardware and home improvement supply stores across the Island and can be filled with sand or soil.
For a map of the locations and exact times, click here.
If your residence or business is prone to flooding, please take measures to have your sandbags in place before flooding occurs.
Shelters:
The County will open shelters starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, at the locations listed below. Residents are encouraged to bring their own food, water, and any necessary medications.
- Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau.
- Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hoʻoko St., Waikoloa.
- Kahilu Theater, 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Waimea
- Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua St., Honokaʻa.
- Laupāhoehoe Public Charter School Band Room, 35-2605 Mamalahoa Highway, Laupāhoehoe.
- Waiākea High School Gym, 155 W. Kawili St., Hilo
- Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
- Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2910 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
- Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
- Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
- Kealakehe High School Gym, 74-5000 Puohulihuli St., Kailua-Kona.
- Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
Bus Service:
Hele-On Kako‘o Paratransit Services will end at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. All fixed route Hele-On buses and Paratransit services will be canceled on Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16.
To view the fixed route cancellations and changes for Friday, Aug. 14, click here or call 808-961-8744 ext. 1.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:
- As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the following parts of the park are closed: Mauna Loa summit, Red Hill and Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu. Kīpukapuaulu also remains closed due to hazard trees.
- At noon on Friday, the following areas will be closed: The Welcome Center and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store, Kahuku Unit, all trails and Nāhuku lava tube, tent camping at Nāmakanipaio campgroun, all backcountry sites including the coast and Pepeiao, Chain of Craters Road and the Crater Rim Drive East. Visitors should check the park website for alerts, www.nps.gov/havo.
- These areas are still open for registered guests only: Kilauea Military Camp, Volcano House and the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio. Lodging guests must shelter in place and not recreate outdoors for everyone’s safety.
County Closures and Facility Impacts:
- Camping permits are cancelled for Friday night and Saturday night.
- All solid waste facilities, including transfer stations, will be closed on Saturday.
Event Cancellations:
The following events sponsored by the County or hosted at County facilities have been cancelled due to the storm:
- Hawaiʻi Island Agrifood Summit in Honokaʻa and Waimea.
- Hulu Street Evacuation Drill in Waikoloa.
- Island Showdown at Hilo Drag Strip. (Cancelled for Saturday, Aug. 15).
Hawaiʻi Island Public Schools:
Sorry kids, the public schools will remain open for a normal school day on Friday.
But all public school campuses and offices will close at 5:30 p.m. and will remain closed through Sunday, Aug. 16, state education officials announced.
School principals may cancel individual after-school activities Friday afternoon based on conditions.
All previously scheduled school-related events and activities during the closure period will be canceled or postponed.
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education offices on Hawaiʻi Island also will operate during normal business hours on Friday.
Hawaiʻi Island public schools and offices are expected to return to normal operations on Monday, Aug. 17, if conditions allow.
