4 p.m. update: City preparing to resume normal operations Tuesday as Lala recovery continues
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is preparing to resume normal operations Tuesday, Aug. 18, as cleanup and recovery efforts continue across Oʻahu following Tropical Storm Lala.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, there are no weather watches, warnings or advisories in effect for Oʻahu. City crews have worked throughout the day clearing fallen trees and debris, repairing damaged traffic signals, assessing roads and public facilities, and responding
to other storm-related impacts.
While significant progress has been made, residents and visitors should continue to use caution. Fallen trees and branches, downed power lines, damaged traffic signals and other hazards remain in some areas.
The City anticipates reopening City offices, facilities, programs and services Tuesday, including Satellite City Halls, Driver Licensing Centers, public parks and other facilities that were closed Monday. Individual facilities that sustained storm damage may remain closed or operate on modified schedules.
Cleanup and restoration efforts
City crews have been working throughout Monday to clear roads, remove fallen trees and branches, repair damaged infrastructure and restore normal operations across Oʻahu.
Department of Transportation Services crews have been responding throughout the day to downed and damaged traffic signals, while Department of Facility Maintenance and Department of Parks and Recreation crews continue clearing trees, branches and debris from City roadways and properties.
Motorists approaching intersections where traffic signals remain out should treat them as four-way stops, slow down and proceed with caution.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, Hawaiian Electric is reporting 569 outages affecting approximately 50,000 customers across Oʻahu.
Cellular service also remains intermittent in some areas, and residents may continue to experience disruptions to calls, text messages and data service.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply continues asking residents to limit water use to essential needs, including drinking, cooking and sanitation, as crews respond to power outages affecting pumping operations in parts of Oʻahu. Island-wide conservation will help maintain reservoir levels until power and normal pumping operations are restored.
Road closures
City crews continue responding to localized road and lane closures caused by fallen trees, debris, downed utility lines and other storm damage.
Motorists should expect some closures, detours and delays to continue into Monday evening as crews work to safely reopen roadways. Residents encountering cleanup or utility crews are asked to slow down, follow directions and give workers enough space to safely complete their work.
Storm shelter operations conclude
The City has concluded its storm shelter operations following Tropical Storm Lala.
At the peak of operations, 247 people sought refuge at the City’s eight hurricane refuge areas. As shelter operations concluded, 22 individuals were transitioned to shelters or other supportive services.
On Sunday, 40 people temporarily displaced from Hale Mauliola returned after the facility was determined to be safe. Other individuals needing continued assistance were connected with community shelter and service providers.
The City transitioned shelter operations Sunday evening from State schools to Booth District Park, ʻEwa Mahiko District Park and Kāneʻohe District Park to allow the Hawaiʻi Department of Education to prepare the school campuses to resume regular operations.
Storm shelter operations at Booth District Park and Kāneʻohe District Park have now concluded.
ʻEwa Mahiko District Park will remain open temporarily for HONU residents who were displaced ahead of the storm. They are scheduled to remain at the park through Wednesday, when they are expected to return to the Kapolei Musubi lot. The HONU operation is separate from the City’s storm shelter operations.
The City thanks its Mass Care team, shelter staff, community partners and volunteers who worked throughout the emergency to provide refuge and connect individuals needing additional assistance with services.
Report storm damage
Property owners who experienced storm-related damage are encouraged to report it through the City’s damage assessment form at www.honolulu.gov/homedamage.
The reports will help the City determine the extent and location of storm damage across Oʻahu and support broader damage assessment efforts. Submitting the form is not an application for disaster assistance, relief, or emergency funding.
City Operations
City offices, facilities, and services will return to normal operations Tuesday, including:
- Parks and recreation: City parks and gardens are reopening under semi-regular service. Staff is continuing to address storm impacts. Some parks are still without power and have sustained other damage. As a result, some park facilities, such as impacted bathrooms and soggy fields, will remain closed. Communication with some staff will also be difficult.
- Municipal golf courses: All six City municipal golf courses will reopen Tuesday and resume normal operations.
- Honolulu Zoo: The Honolulu Zoo will reopen Tuesday and resume normal operations.
- Satellite City Halls and Driver Licensing Centers: Locations will reopen and resume normal operations.
- Public transportation: TheBus, Skyline and TheHandi-Van will operate on their normal schedules. Riders should remain aware that localized road conditions could result in detours or delays. The Transit Pass Office on Middle Street will reopen tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.
- Refuse: convenience centers, transfer stations and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill are open and operating normally. Residential refuse collection proceeded as scheduled on Monday.
If your refuse, recycling, or green compost cart was damaged during the storm, contact the Department of Environmental Services at (808) 768-3200 or collection@honolulu.gov to request a repair or replacement. Please include your address and a description of the damage.
- Public safety: Police, fire, emergency medical services, Ocean Safety and other critical City services will continue normal operations.
Traffic Safety
The Honolulu Police Department is urging motorists to use extra caution as power outages continue to affect traffic signals, streetlights and some tunnel lighting across Oʻahu. Drivers should expect delays, particularly in Waikīkī, East Honolulu and Windward Oʻahu.
Motorists should follow officers directing traffic and treat intersections with non-operating signals as all-way stops when officers are not present. Drivers should slow down, use headlights, and remain alert for storm debris, fallen trees, and downed power lines. Never approach or drive over a downed power line.
Hiking Safety
The Honolulu Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services are urging the public to avoid hiking in hazardous post-storm conditions, including swollen streams, muddy trails, and unstable terrain.
Sunday night, 17 HFD personnel and five EMS personnel spent nearly three hours rescuing an injured hiker and her companions from the Makaua Hidden Garden Trail in Kaʻaʻawa. Difficult terrain, heavy rain impacts, and high winds complicated the rescue and prevented the use of HFD air assets.
Residents and visitors are reminded that dangerous trail and stream conditions can persist for days after heavy rain. Avoid hiking if conditions are uncertain, and turn around when you encounter swollen streams, flooding, or unsafe terrain.
City Call Center
The City’s informational call center will remain open until 11 p.m. Monday and will reopen Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for non-emergency storm-related information.
Residents and visitors may call 808-723-8960 for information and assistance related to Tropical Storm Lala and ongoing recovery operations.
Anyone needing immediate emergency assistance should call 911.
—PAU—
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