County of Maui Hurricane Lala update as of 1:15 p.m. 8-15-26
At 9 a.m. today, Aug. 15, the National Weather Service (NWS) upgraded Tropical Storm Lala to Hurricane Lala as the storm strengthened and intensified while approaching Hawaii island. Potentially damaging winds and deteriorating conditions were forecast across Maui County today, according to NWS.
Lala is expected to pass or make landfall over the southern end of the Big Island this afternoon and pass just south of the rest of the island chain through Sunday, NWS reported.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for all Maui Nui islands. A warning means tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, flash and coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous surf, are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
TEMPORARY EVACUATION POINTS OPEN
Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) provide a safe gathering area but do not have the supplies of a regular shelter; residents need to bring essentials. Pets are allowed only if they are in crates or cages. If necessary, TEPs can be converted into shelters, which provide cots, food and water.
The following County and American Red Cross TEPs are open:
- Wailuku: Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
- Hāna: Hāna High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway
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Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center Gym, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway
- Pukalani: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center (Social Hall), 91 Pukalani St.
- Kīhei: South Maui Community Park and Gym, 1501 Liloa Drive
The following TEPs are available on an as-needed, on-call basis. Those who need shelter information or assistance may call:
- Lānaʻi: Lānaʻi Youth Center, 101-165 Fifth St. Lānaʻi City: (808) 559-0175
- Molokaʻi: Molokaʻi Baptist Church 495 Puupeelua Ave., Hoolehua, and Kilohana Recreation Center, 344 Kamehameha V Highway, Kaunakakai (808) 280-8968
There are currently 33 individuals at temporary evacuation points (TEPs).
Ka Hale A Ke Ola has 10 beds available and is prepared to increase capacity if additional sheltering needs arise.
COUNTY FACILITY, PARK AND SERVICE CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGES
- Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens park in Wailuku was closed on 8/15 due to rising levels in the Wailuku River and high winds.
- Department of Public Works (DPW) reconstruction project on Makawao Avenue cancelled work on Saturday and Sunday due to weather.
- Department of Transportation plans to resume Maui Bus Fixed-Route and ADA Paratransit Services on Sunday, 8/16, at 10 a.m., as road and safety conditions allow, after suspending or ending early certain routes on 8/15. The Kahului Transit Center will reopen at 10 a.m. 8/16 upon service resumption. Maui Bus commuter services to West and South Maui will remain suspended on 8/16. For updated information, visit www.mauibus.org.
- Molokaʻi-Nāʻiwa Landfill and Recycling Center was closed on 8/15 due to high winds causing unsafe operating conditions. The landfill is expected to reopen for regular hours at 8 a.m. 8/18.
COUNTY-SPONSORED EVENT CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGES
Office of the Mayor’s annual Holomua Kākou talk-story gathering and drop-in centers on Lānaʻi slated for Aug. 17-18, 2026, will be rescheduled.
COUNTY PREPARATIONS
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has been coordinating with other County of Maui departments, as well as state and nongovernment partners, to prepare for potential storm impacts.
Other County preparations include the following:
- Maui Police Department is increasing staffing for all districts to prepare for the storm; all stations tested generators to ensure they are operable. The public should be advised of the following:
- Anticipate longer response times for nonemergency/non-in progress calls -- public safety will be prioritized during the storm.
- If there is a situation where emergency evacuation is needed, call 911.
- Crimes committed during an emergency proclamation have enhanced penalties.
- If traffic signals go out or malfunction, treat intersections like a four-way-stop.
- Maui Fire Department stood up an Incident Management Team to assist in managing storm response. The department increased firefighters on duty at stations across Maui County.
- DPW crews have been preparing for the potential upcoming weather by ensuring all storm-response equipment are fueled and ready to go, inspecting and cleaning drainage and flood control infrastructure, and prepositioned traffic control devices and equipment for deployment if needed throughout Maui County, including in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hāna, as well as on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
- Material is being removed from the Wailuku River Debris Basin as a safety precaution. All material remains intact and is being safely stored at a County facility in Waikapū. It can be returned to the watershed once the storm has passed.
- Department of Water Supply (DWS) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are prepping all system infrastructure sites that could potentially be affected by the approaching storm. DWS and DEM are checking and topping off fuel in all permanent and portable generators. All vehicles are being refueled daily in anticipation of the storm. Standby crews have been set up for response.
GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION
Residents are encouraged to:
- Review or update a family emergency plan.
- Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
- Prepare an emergency go bag with essential items to take if evacuation becomes necessary.
- Secure important documents and know your evacuation zone if you live in a coastal or flood-prone area.
- Prepare your home by securing outdoor items, protecting windows if needed, and ensuring it is ready to withstand possible extended power outages.
- Sign up for MEMA Alerts and Genasys evacuation notifications by visiting https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
For the latest information, visit NWS in Honolulu at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to Genasys and MEMA alerts at https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
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