Lala Recovery

As an active hurricane season continues, The Salvation Army corps food pantries in Hilo, Honokaʻa, and Kona are urgently seeking monetary donations to address growing shortages.

According to the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union, Hurricane Lala has caused more than $3 million in reported losses across 79 types of farms.

Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply continues assessment and recovery efforts following Hurricane Lala, impacts from which significantly damaged water system infrastructure, especially in the Nā‘ālehu-Waiʻōhinu area; about 60 accounts remain without service.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi Chief Executive Officer Janice Ikeda writes about how her nonprofit during the past 2 weeks since Hurricane Lala wreaked havoc on the Big Island has seen the power of collaboration, purpose of coordination and what becomes possible when people come together to put their aloha into action.

Students at two schools hardest hit by hurricane reconnect with teachers and classmates as recovery effort continues.

Hawai’i County Department of Water Supply prioritizing restoration efforts for remaining about 60 accounts in Wai‘ōhinu Homestead and portions of South Point Road service areas; department appreciates continued patience and cooperation of customers

Department of Water Supply is prioritizing efforts to restore service to the remaining affected customers in Wai’ōhinu Homestead and portions of the South Point Road service areas, which represents approximately 60 accounts at this time.

Water service also continues to be incrementally expanded to some of the hardest-hit areas in the southern part of the island, including Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Subdivision, Green Sands Subdivision and South Point Road.

Hawaiian Electric has restored power to nearly all customers affected by Hurricane Lala, a week ahead of its schedule due in part to sustained efforts of local and mainland crews.

There are 220 residents, many kūpuna and veterans, who have been without electricity because of impacts caused by Hurricane Lala, which wreaked havoc on the Big Island two weeks ago.

Two Hawaiʻi companies, Island Energy Services and Big Island Energy, joined forces to provide the fuel in Kurtistown and Pāhala.

Hawaiian Electric has been working to restore power to thousands of customers islandwide since the Category I storm hit the island on Aug. 15.

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School reopens for in-person learning on Aug. 31, while Nāʻālehu Elementary students will go to temporary classes starting Sept. 2 at the Kaʻū High gym.

The state and FEMA will work with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team to assist with recovering, identifying, documenting, and respectfully reinterring human remains displaced at Nāʻālehu Cemetery.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation has raised $1 million to aid local farmers, ranchers, and fishers affected by the Kona Low storms and are raising money for a second round following Hurricane Lala

Punuluʻu Bake Shop general manager Zachary Kennedy said while it will take time to rebuild the badly damaged properties of the business, “we are 100% going to rebuild.”

Included in the shipment were two bucket trucks, a companion crew truck and a cable reel trailer.

Pāhala residents remain resilient as they rally together to provide recovery support after Hurricane Lala and essential supplies before a potential incoming storm.

Even as its main facility remains closed due to severe flood damage, tbe Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center is spearheading efforts to restore healthcare access by deploying a mobile clinic next week.

Currently, about 11,290 Hawaiian Electric customers without power, including 9,300 in Puna and 1,300 in Kaʻū, the areas likely to be impacted the most in the state by approaching Tropical Storm Moke.