Lala Has Moved Past Hawaii, but Closures and Damage Remain. What Travelers Need to Know.

Hawaii travel news can change quickly. Always confirm current details with official sources before making travel plans.

All information reflects conditions reported through approximately 11:45 a.m. HST Monday, August 17, 2026. Road conditions, park closures, power outages and flight schedules are changing rapidly. Verify with official sources before publishing and before traveling.

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Tropical Storm Lala is moving away from the main Hawaiian Islands, but Monday is not a normal travel day across the state.

Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) is dealing with serious flooding, road and bridge damage, and widespread power outages.

State and county parks are closed statewide for damage assessments, and post-storm ocean conditions require caution even as skies begin to clear.

If you are flying to Hawaiʻi today or later this week, you do not automatically need to cancel. What you should expect depends heavily on which island you are visiting.

Where Tropical Storm Lala Is Now

As of 8:00 AM HST Sunday, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located approximately 190 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and about 75 miles southwest of Honolulu, moving northwest at 14 mph.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 65 mph. The storm is expected to turn westward soon and then continue on a westward track through Tuesday night.

The storm center is forecast to pass south of Kauai County today, then move south of the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands early next week.

Slight additional weakening is possible during the next day or so. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

Is Lala Still a Threat?

As of Advisory 21 at 5 a.m. HST Monday, Lala was approximately 360 miles west of Honolulu, moving westward at 12 mph with 60 mph sustained winds.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for the main Hawaiian Islands. But, do not get in the water until officials have given an “all-clear.”

NWS Honolulu reports that Lala-related east-shore surf is declining, though life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected to persist through Monday. A separate south swell is producing elevated surf on south-facing shores.

What Each Island Should Know

Hawaiʻi Island: The Most Serious Damage

Lala passed within approximately 35 miles of Hawaiʻi Island at hurricane strength Saturday night, with wind gusts reaching 91 mph in Kohala.

Mayor Kimo Alameda described what he saw during a Sunday aerial survey of Kaʻū as “devastation” six bridges in the district were significantly damaged or destroyed, and at least 100 homes across the island sustained storm damage, including one swept off its foundation.

Pāhala remains cut off as of Monday.

A collapsed section of Highway 11 has severed all road access to the community, which hosts the region’s only hospital.

Highway 11 has multiple closures in Kaʻū with sections blocked between approximately mile markers 50 and 66. Kaʻalaiki Road near Nāʻālehu, Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road near Pāhala all remain closed.

Nāʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu were accessible only from the Kona direction as of Sunday. Emergency crews are working to restore access with no confirmed timeline.

Do not assume any route through southern Hawaiʻi Island is passable. Check the County of Hawaiʻi Hazard Impact Map before any south-island drive.

As of midday Monday, roughly 41,190 customers remain without power, primarily in Puna, North and South Kona, North and South Kohala, Hāmākua and South Hilo.

Three helicopters are inspecting six transmission lines across the island as damage assessments continue. Hawaiian Electric warned some rural customers to prepare for extended outages lasting weeks.

Contact your hotel or vacation rental directly rather than relying on booking-platform status.

Both Hilo and Kona airports reopened Sunday after inspections.

An airport reopening and your specific flight operating are two different things.

Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines plan a normal schedule Monday and have extended travel waivers through Monday for changes or cancellations.

Check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport.

Most Hele-On Bus routes remain canceled Monday.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened as of 10 a.m. Monday. Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna is now open, along with Crater Rim Trail West and Steam Vents. However, most of the park remains closed.

The Welcome Center, Chain of Craters Road, Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, all campgrounds, the backcountry and the Kahuku Unit all remain closed due to downed trees, damaged roads and other hazards.

The park has no power, phones or internet. Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp remain closed to the public but are open to registered guests. Park rangers are providing visitor information in the Kilauea Military Camp lobby.

Check nps.gov/havo for updates before visiting.

A brown-water advisory is in effect for Hawaiʻi Island, including the Hāmākua Coast.

The Hawaii Department of Health recommends avoiding affected coastal waters for 48 to 72 hours after rain stops and beaches receive full sunshine, and avoiding freshwater streams and ponds entirely. If the water looks brown or murky, stay out.

Maui: Cleanup Underway, Verify Before You Go

Maui’s damage is real but does not compare to Hawaiʻi Island. Upcountry communities including Makawao, Piʻiholo and Olinda saw significant tree damage, downed power lines and road blockages — wind gusts reached 89 mph in West Maui. As of 7 a.m. Monday, about 6,300 customers remain without power in Kula, Hāʻikū, Olinda and Piʻiholo. The County opened a charging station with WiFi at Eddie Tam Memorial Center in Makawao for residents dealing with extended outages.

All County of Maui offices are closed Monday. All state parks are closed statewide. The County of Maui’s Sunday evening update indicated most county parks are expected to reopen Monday, with exceptions for some Lahaina and East Maui facilities still completing debris cleanup. Verify specific park status at mauicounty.gov before visiting. Maui Bus resumed service Sunday with some route exceptions.

Travelers in Wailea or Kāʻanapali should not read the Upcountry situation as the condition of their resort. Call your hotel and activity providers directly. A brown-water advisory applies to Maui coastal waters; follow the same 48 to 72 hour guidance.

Oʻahu: Significant Progress Overnight, but Recovery Continues

The Tropical Storm Warning for Oʻahu was lifted Sunday afternoon.

Overnight, Hawaiian Electric restored power to roughly 55,000 customers across East Honolulu, Mililani, Waikīkī, Kaimukī, Kāneʻohe and Wahiawā.

As of 7 a.m. Monday, about 71,600 customers remain without power in Windward, Leeward and Honolulu areas. Customers from Salt Lake to East Honolulu are asked to conserve power today.

City crews are working Monday to clear debris, address flooding and reopen roadways. Normal government operations are expected to resume Tuesday.

Sunday’s significant road closures included sections of Kamehameha Highway in Waiāhole/Waikāne, Kalākaua Avenue, the Pali Highway, Tantalus Drive and Round Top Drive.

Those were Sunday conditions, recheck current status before driving. Treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops.

Skyline was operating normally Sunday. TheBus and TheHandi-Van largely returned to normal with possible delays.

City park facilities are closed Monday and scheduled to reopen Tuesday pending safety assessments.

A traveler flying into Honolulu this week does not have a ruined trip. Build in flexibility Monday, verify tours and island road trips, and stay out of brown or murky water.

Kauaʻi: Roads Open, but North Shore Park Access Remains Closed

Kauaʻi passed through the storm later than the other islands. The County of Kauaʻi has confirmed all roads on the island are now open.

Līhuʻe Airport is open and Kauaʻi Bus is operating its normal schedule Monday.

All county offices are closed, with essential staff continuing storm recovery work.

The key traveler-facing closures remain on the north shore.

Hāʻena State Park, the Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park and the Hāʻena shuttle are all closed Monday with no confirmed reopening timeline beyond today.

All shuttle reservations for August 17 have been canceled and refunded. Polihale State Park remains closed.

A water service outage in the Hāʻena-Wainiha area was reported Sunday, with restoration pending accessible conditions.

Check gohaena.com/conditions and dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/important-park-notices for current status and rebooking options before heading north.

Ocean Conditions: Open Does Not Mean Safe

Post-storm ocean conditions are not returning to normal overnight. NWS reports life-threatening surf and rip currents persisting through Monday even on beaches without an official closure.

The statewide brown-water advisory means runoff from heavy rainfall is affecting nearshore water quality on all islands.

Check lifeguard signage, ask an on-duty lifeguard before entering the water, and consult the NWS surf forecast at weather.gov/hfo before booking any ocean activity.

Do not assume snorkeling tours or ocean excursions are running on a normal Monday schedule.

Should You Cancel? The Honest Answer by Island

You should not cancel solely because Lala passed Hawaiʻi. Your checklist should match your specific island and itinerary.

For Oʻahu and Maui arrivals Tuesday through Friday, confirm your airline, hotel, verify tours and state park reservations, check road conditions before excursions and build in flexibility.

A cancellation is not warranted based on current information for most resort-area itineraries.

For Kauaʻi, roads are now fully open, but confirm all north shore plans, Hāʻena and Kalalau reservations, and park status specifically.

South-shore and Līhuʻe area plans are on firm ground.

For Hawaiʻi Island, resort-area stays in Kona or the Kohala Coast should be confirmed directly with your hotel before canceling.

Anyone planning significant travel through Kaʻū or southern Hawaiʻi Island should expect serious itinerary disruptions.

Highway 11 through Kaʻū has multiple confirmed closures Monday.

Do not attempt that route without checking official road conditions immediately before departing.

How to Help With Lala Recovery

Cash donations are the most efficient form of support during an active disaster response. These organizations are actively deployed:

• Vibrant Hawaiʻi is coordinating recovery resources on Hawaiʻi Island, including assistance for families in Kaʻū. Residents needing help can submit a request at bit.ly/vh-rfa. Donate at vibranthawaii.org/donate
• Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund has already deployed grants to organizations on the ground, including Vibrant Hawaiʻi and HOPE Services Hawaiʻi. Donate at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/stronger-hawaii-donate
• The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division activated Emergency Disaster Services teams statewide and served more than 667 meals in the first 48 hours of the storm. Donate at fundraise.salvationarmyhawaii.org/HawaiiPacificDisasterRelief26
• American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region deployed volunteers and Starlink connectivity for shelter and communications support on Hawaiʻi Island. Donate at redcross.org/local/pacific-islands

If you are physically in Hawaiʻi and want to volunteer, contact Vibrant Hawaiʻi or the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region directly.

Traveling Respectfully During Recovery

The Kaʻū communities of Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu are not sightseeing destinations this week.

Emergency and utility crews need clear road access, and residents are dealing with destroyed bridges, collapsed roads and flooded homes.

Do not drive into damaged areas to look at the storm damage.

The same principle applies statewide: do not cross road barricades, bypass trail closures or enter closed state parks.

If an area is open and welcoming visitors, go and support it.

If emergency crews are still restoring basic access to a community, stay out of the way.

FAQs

Is Hawaii open after Tropical Storm Lala? Hawaiʻi is not uniformly open or closed. Oʻahu and Maui’s main resort areas are moving toward normal operations. All Kauaʻi roads are now open, though north-shore park access remains closed. Hawaiʻi Island, especially the Kaʻū District, has serious ongoing road damage, power outages and access problems. All state parks statewide are closed Monday for damage assessments. Check your specific island, accommodations and activities rather than treating the state as a single destination.

Should I cancel my Hawaii trip because of Lala? Not automatically. For most travelers heading to Oʻahu or Maui’s resort areas later this week, canceling based solely on Lala passing is not warranted based on current information. Kauaʻi roads are open, but verify north shore park access specifically. Hawaiʻi Island travelers with plans in Kaʻū or southern Hawaiʻi Island face the most uncertainty and should wait for updated road and access information before deciding.

Are Kona and Hilo airports open? Both Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport reopened Sunday morning after inspections. However, an airport being open and your individual flight operating are separate things. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines plan a normal schedule Monday and have extended travel waivers through Monday for changes or cancellations. Check your specific flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport.

Is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park open? Partially, as of 10 a.m. Monday. Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna is open, along with Crater Rim Trail West and Steam Vents. However, most of the park remains closed — including the Welcome Center, Chain of Craters Road, Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, all campgrounds and the Kahuku Unit. The park has no power, phones or internet. Check nps.gov/havo for the latest before visiting and expect very limited services.

Is Hāʻena State Park and the Kalalau Trail open on Kauaʻi? No. Hāʻena State Park, the Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park and the Hāʻena shuttle are all closed Monday with no confirmed reopening timeline beyond today. All Monday shuttle reservations have been canceled and refunded. Check gohaena.com/conditions and dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/important-park-notices before rebooking.

Can I swim or snorkel in Hawaii right now? Use caution on all islands. A statewide brown-water advisory is in effect. The Hawaii Department of Health recommends avoiding affected coastal waters for 48 to 72 hours after rain stops and beaches receive full sunshine, and avoiding freshwater streams and ponds entirely. NWS also reports life-threatening surf and rip currents persisting through Monday. If the water looks brown or murky, do not enter it. Check lifeguard signage and the NWS surf forecast at weather.gov/hfo before any ocean activity.

How bad is the damage on Hawaiʻi Island? Hawaiʻi Island, particularly the Kaʻū District, has the most serious damage in the state. A collapsed section of Highway 11 has cut off all road access to Pāhala, and six bridges in Kaʻū were significantly damaged or destroyed. At least 100 homes sustained storm damage. About 41,190 customers remain without power as of midday Monday, with some rural customers facing outages lasting weeks.

How can I help people affected by Lala? Cash donations to established disaster relief organizations are the most effective way to help right now. Vibrant Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund, The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region are all actively deployed.

Are Maui beaches and parks open after Lala? All state parks statewide are closed Monday for damage assessments. Most Maui County parks are expected to reopen Monday, with exceptions for some Lahaina and East Maui facilities. Verify at mauicounty.gov before visiting. A brown-water advisory is in effect for Maui coastal waters. Do not enter water that appears brown or murky, and follow the 48 to 72 hour post-rain guidance before swimming or snorkeling.

Is Waikiki normal after Lala? Waikīkī and much of the primary Oʻahu visitor corridor are moving toward normal, but Monday is still a cleanup and recovery day. About 71,600 Oʻahu customers remain without power as of 7 a.m. Monday, though crews made significant progress overnight. City park facilities are closed Monday and scheduled to reopen Tuesday. Verify tours and activities directly with operators, drive cautiously and stay out of murky ocean water.

Sources

Official sources

• Storm status: nhc.noaa.gov / weather.gov/hfo
• State emergency hub: dod.hawaii.gov/hiema
• State parks: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/important-park-notices
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP: nps.gov/havo
• Hāʻena/Kalalau: gohaena.com/conditions
• Power outages: hawaiianelectric.com
• Airline waivers: Check directly with your carrier
• Brown-water advisories: Hawaii DOH Coastal Waters Branch

Airline advisories

• Southwest Airlines travel advisory: https://www.southwest.com/travel-advisory/
• Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines shared travel advisories page: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/advisories/travel-advisories
• Alaska Airlines news update on Tropical Storm Lala: https://news.alaskaair.com/on-the-record/updates-on-tropical-storm-lala/