Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii, leaving one dead and homes swept away as it weakens to tropical storm

Hurricane Lala, initially a Category 1 hurricane, has battered Hawaii, weakening to a tropical storm after largely skirting direct landfall but still inflicting considerable damage, particularly on the Big Island. The storm brought hurricane-force winds and relentless rainfall, with some areas receiving nearly three feet of precipitation, causing widespread flooding and mudslides.

Tragically, at least one fatality was reported due to a car accident on the Big Island. Flash floods proved especially destructive, sweeping away multiple occupied homes in the coastal communities of Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu, prompting extensive search-and-rescue efforts involving Civil Defense, the National Guard, and the Coast Guard.

The severe weather also led to significant disruptions across the islands, with more than 130,000 households experiencing power outages, numerous road closures, and airports temporarily shutting down. While Lala continued its westward movement as a tropical storm, warnings for heavy rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surf remained in effect for several Hawaiian islands.