Crews continued restoration and cleanup operations Tuesday after the outer bands of Lala battered the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend, toppling trees, knocking out power to thousands of residents and leaving one person dead, officials said.
Immediate damage and response
State and county crews focused on restoring electricity, clearing blocked roads and assessing infrastructure in hard-hit areas on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. Hawaiian Electric said its inspections were revealing significant damage, particularly in remote locations, and crews worked through the night to return power to customers.
Most public schools across the state reopened, but Hawaii County kept non-emergency operations suspended as crews concentrated on recovery and safety work. Road crews were actively removing debris in Pahala and other southern Big Island communities to restore access for residents.
Human impact
Tourists and residents alike experienced outages and the loss of basic services. At a Kaanapali restaurant on Maui’s west side, a visiting family from California said the lights went out as they sat down to order; their hotel also lost power, forcing them to sleep in hot rooms without air conditioning. Hotel guests congregated on lower floors to use the few working outlets.
"We were pretty anxious. My mom was a little bit freaked out," said Sydney Ambrose, who was visiting with her son and mother.
Authorities confirmed the storm caused one death. A 90-year-old woman who had been reported missing in Naalehu was found dead Monday, officials said.
Where the storm is heading
The National Weather Service said the storm has moved west and was expected to eventually swing northward toward the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a remote federally protected area of Pacific islands, atolls and reefs. At the time of reports, Lala had weakened from hurricane strength to a tropical storm.
Local officials and conditions
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said roads were being cleared and debris was being removed, and noted the resilience of the community.
"Roads are getting cleared, debris is getting cleaned up, and the people, while hurting, remain strong," Alameda said Monday.
County officials in Maui reported many large trees in the island’s upcountry region had fallen, bringing down power lines and damaging infrastructure. Crews on the Big Island likewise focused on reopening blocked corridors and restoring critical access.
Practical information for residents and visitors
Officials urged caution around downed power lines, standing floodwater and obstructed roadways. Residents should follow county and emergency management guidance and check with Hawaiian Electric for power restoration updates. Tourists experiencing outages are encouraged to contact their hotels and airlines for information on services and travel changes.
- Power: Hawaiian Electric conducting inspections and restoration across the Big Island, Maui and Oahu.
- Roads: Crews actively clearing debris, with priority on restoring access to isolated communities.
- Public services: Most public schools reopened; Hawaii County non-emergency operations remained suspended.
Damage snapshot
Officials described localized but significant damage, especially where large trees fell onto lines and infrastructure. The following table summarizes known island impacts from initial reports.
| Island | Reported impacts |
|---|---|
| Big Island | Road clearing in Pahala and Naalehu; one confirmed death; widespread outages in remote areas |
| Maui | Large trees toppled in upcountry areas, damaged power lines and infrastructure; outages affecting visitors and residents |
| Oahu | Power outages reported; crews working on inspections and repairs |
Outlook
As crews continue overnight work to restore power and clear roads, authorities emphasized patience and safety. With the storm system moving away from the main Hawaiian Islands and forecast to turn north toward the remote Papahanaumokuakea area, officials shifted to recovery and damage assessment while maintaining monitoring in case conditions change.
WE NEWS will update this story as officials release further details about restoration timelines, the scope of outages and any additional safety notices for island residents and visitors.
