Tropical Storm Lala is threatening to become the first hurricane to hit Hawaii's Big Island in recorded modern history as it approaches landfall.
Forecasters warned that the strengthening system will likely make landfall at hurricane strength early Saturday morning, prompting emergency officials across the archipelago to urge immediate public preparations.
Maui emergency management agency administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said: "Lala is strengthening, and we need people to prepare now for the potential of dangerous winds, heavy rain, flooding and large waves."
A direct hit would mark the first hurricane to strike the Big Island since accurate weather records began being kept in the 20th century. Hawaii's Big Island, officially named Hawaiʻi Island, is the largest geographical island in the Hawaiian archipelago located in the central Pacific Ocean.
AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrell said: "A hurricane has never made landfall on the Big Island. Tropical Storms Darby in 2016 and Iselle in 2014 are the only tropical storms to ever make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island."
The National Hurricane Center upgraded its alert to an official Hurricane Warning for the Big Island on Friday. The agency operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to monitor tropical cyclone threats across Pacific waters.
Officials also issued Tropical Storm Warnings for all of Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.
As of 12pm ET, officials placed the islands of Kauai and O'ahu under a Tropical Storm Watch. O'ahu is the most populous Hawaiian island and hosts the state capital of Honolulu, carrying more than one million residents and tourists combined.
As of Friday, Lala carried sustained winds of 60 mph. Forecasters expected the storm to begin impacting the state on Friday afternoon, delivering potentially dangerous wind gusts and torrential rain.
Severe Winds and Rain Projections
The National Weather Service projected that Tropical Storm Lala will intensify into a Category 1 hurricane overnight, carrying sustained winds between 75 mph and 95 mph right before hitting land on Saturday. Under the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, Category 1 storms carry minimum hurricane-force winds capable of causing roof damage, snapping trees and downing power lines.
Under an AccuWeather worst-case scenario, parts of the Big Island could face up to 30 inches of rain, deadly flash flooding, mudslides, wind gusts reaching 100 mph and ocean surges approaching six feet once the storm arrives on Saturday.
Forecasters expect the heaviest rainfall and wind damage to strike the eastern side of the Big Island. However, meteorologists predict the entire Hawaii island chain will receive at least two to four inches of rain this weekend, with isolated spots seeing eight inches and eastern Big Island areas potentially taking over 16 inches.
AccuWeather rated Lala as a Level 2 storm out of 5 on its proprietary Real Impact scale for rating hurricane damage. AccuWeather is a private American meteorology company providing commercial weather forecasting services.
The Level 2 rating indicates the storm will likely cause wind damage to small buildings and trees, widespread power outages and significant property damage in coastal communities.
Comparisons to Historical Pacific Storms
AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva warned that the oncoming system closely resembles Hurricane Hone, which brought severe flooding and destructive winds to the region in 2024.
DaSilva said in a statement: "Despite never making landfall in Hawaii, Hone brought more than two feet of rain to portions of the Big Island, causing significant flooding, as well as winds in excess of 70 mph."
The only other hurricane believed to have made landfall on the Big Island was the 1871 Kohala Cyclone, though documentation relies on unconfirmed reports from local newspapers of the era.
According to Hawaiian news outlet Big Island Now, the Kohala Cyclone was a Category 3 hurricane when it struck the northern side of the Big Island on August 9, 1871. A Category 3 hurricane carries major hurricane status with winds between 111 mph and 129 mph.
Tourism Peak and Local Preparations
State officials are monitoring approximately 1.5 million people spread across the island chain, with high population densities in urban and resort communities such as Honolulu, Waikiki, Kahului and Kihei.
The storm arrives during the peak of Hawaii's summer travel season, when roughly 250,000 vacationers visit beaches and tourist attractions on any given day between June and mid-August.
Maui is the second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and remains one of the state's top vacation destinations. The island welcomed approximately 2.5 million visitors in 2025, drawing travelers to white and black sand beaches, luxury resort complexes, whale-watching areas and iconic attractions like the 64-mile highway known as the Road to Hāna.
Mayor Richard Bissen of Maui County urged residents to take immediate precautions ahead of the storm's arrival.
Bissen said: "County departments have been preparing for Tropical Storm Lala, and we’re asking our community to do the same."
Bissen added: "Use today to finish securing property, making sure your home has enough food, water, supplies and medications, and check on kūpuna (grandparents), neighbors and loved ones."
Evacuation Warnings and Emergency Guidelines
The National Weather Service added that local evacuations may become necessary in areas where heavy rainfall triggers flash flooding.
NWS officials urged on Friday: "Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area."
Emergency officials advised residents to stock up on enough food, water, essential items and prescription medications to last at least 14 days. The word kūpuna is a traditional Hawaiian term referring to family elders and grandparents, highlighting community care during weather emergencies.
Authorities advised residents living in flood-prone areas to secure important documents and identify the fastest route to their designated local evacuation center.
Officials in Maui County also warned that extended power outages may occur across the island as Lala passes nearby.
