ENVIRONMENT

Hurricane Warning Issued for Hawaii's Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala Strengthens

PUBLISHED Aug 14, 2026, 9:58 AM ET

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Hurricane Warning Issued for Hawaii's Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala Strengthens

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 25

Left 8%

Center 84%

Right 8%

Sources: 25

Tropical Storm Lala strengthened while approaching Hawaii, prompting a hurricane warning for Hawaii County and a tropical storm watch for Maui County, according to the National Hurricane Center. At 11 p.m. HST Thursday, Lala had sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph, 455 miles east-southeast of Hilo. Forecasters expected the storm to become a hurricane near the Big Island on Saturday. Heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf were forecast across Hawaii, with rainfall potentially reaching 25 inches and creating life-threatening flooding and landslides. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said impacts could begin on Hawaii Island Friday night and spread to Maui Nui, Oahu and Kauai through the weekend. The agency also warned of damaging winds, storm surge and dangerous rip currents. Lala was forecast to weaken after passing south of the smaller islands as drier air and wind shear increased, although later restrengthening remained possible.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 11, disturbance 93C developed east-southeast of Hawaii's islands.
On August 13, Lala became a named tropical storm officially.
On August 13, Hawaii received hurricane watch preparations and warnings.
On August 13, emergency officials issued statewide preparedness guidance measures.
On August 14, Lala maintained 60-mph sustained winds near Hawaii.
On August 14, hurricane warning remained active for Hawaii County.
On August 14, Maui County remained under tropical storm watch.
On August 15, Lala is expected to approach Hawaii Island.
On August 16, storm impacts may continue across remaining islands.
Afterward, drier air and wind shear should gradually weaken Lala.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Hawaii faces potentially dangerous wind, flooding, landslides, surf, and travel disruptions.
Possible long-term US impact: Infrastructure damage and recovery costs could affect Hawaii communities afterward.
Most affected groups: Hawaii Island residents, Maui communities, travelers, businesses, utilities, emergency agencies, coastal residents.
Reader Priorities: Readers should prioritize NOAA, NWS, emergency agencies, and verified local reporting over social posts.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 25
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 21

Explain Framing

Left: Coverage emphasizes public safety, flooding risks, vulnerable communities, and government preparedness. Center: Coverage emphasizes verified warnings, storm measurements, forecasts, locations, timing, and uncertainty. Right: Evidence insufficient to establish a distinct right-leaning framing in coverage.