County of Maui Hurricane Lala update as of 5:30 p.m. 8-15-26

STORM UPDATE

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 was expected to pass 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 CONVERTED TO SHELTERS

As of 4 p.m. today, Aug. 15, Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) on Maui have been converted to shelters. Shelters provide cots, food and water. Those seeking shelter should bring bedding, medications and other essential items. Individuals with dietary restrictions should plan accordingly. Pets are allowed only if they are secured in crates or cages.

The following County and American Red Cross shelters are open: 

• Wailuku: Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave. 
• Hāna: Hāna High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway
• 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 40 individuals in shelters.

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 9:30 a.m. 8/16. First departures for Maui Bus Fixed-Route services are 10 a.m. for Wailuku Reverse Loop #2, Kahului Reverse Loop #6, Hāʻiku Islander #35, Kīhei Villager #15 and Lahaina Villager #23; 10:15 a.m. for Waihee Villager #8, 10:30 a.m. for Wailuku Loop #1, Kahului Loop #5, Kīhei Islander #10, Upcountry Islander #40 and West Maui Express #29; and 11 a.m. for Kula Islander #39. 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 and Lānaʻi Landfill were closed on 8/15 due to high winds causing unsafe operating conditions. The landfills are expected to reopen for regular hours at 8 a.m. on 8/18.
• Park Maui suspended parking ambassador staffing and active parking enforcement at 4 p.m. today 8/15 at Kamaʻole Beach Parks I and III and Lahaina Harbor lots. Staffing will resume on Monday, 8/17.

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 RESPONSE

Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation on Thursday, Aug. 13, that allows the County to access state and federal assistance and streamlines procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed. The County Emergency Operations Center went into full activation as of 6 a.m. today, 8/15. Since Wednesday, 8/12, County departments have been preparing for storm impacts by inspecting and clearing infrastructure, positioning equipment and upstaffing for emergency response. 

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Residents are encouraged to: 

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS 

In anticipation of potential damage from Hurricane Lala, MEMA will work with local and state partners to assess impacts across Maui County. 

Residents and businesses that experience damage to homes, businesses or private property are encouraged to submit a damage report through Crisis Track: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/mauiHI/request.html.   

Damage reports following a severe weather event help the County document impacts, prioritize response efforts and support requests for state and federal recovery funding. Submitting a report does not provide direct assistance to individuals or businesses, but it helps the County document the full extent of storm damage. 

Residents who see damage to public roads, infrastructure or other County-managed areas can report it through the County’s SeeClickFix system or SeeClickFix mobile app: https://seeclickfix.com/web_portal/1oTH4hwhqUAkDDqPs8VuEiy4/report/category/132852/

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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Link to Dropbox with County of Maui photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8s2ox33f2b9peet8ry3jv/AGveYr8E0mrwNMz1vKB1c8I?rlkey=yuyo4k5ki8spfphojgtm4manv&st=etgtvu82&dl=0

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