ENVIRONMENT

Tropical Storm Moke Threatens Hurricane-Ravaged Hawaii

PUBLISHED Aug 22, 2026, 3:34 PM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Tropical Storm Moke Threatens Hurricane-Ravaged Hawaii

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 15

Left 13%

Center 80%

Right 7%

Sources: 15

Tropical Storm Moke approached Hawaii on Saturday, threatening flooding as communities recovered from Hurricane Lala. The National Hurricane Center said Moke was about 470 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 12 mph with 50-mph sustained winds. The storm was forecast to pass south of the Big Island rather than make a direct landfall, while producing heavy rain and gusty winds late Saturday through Monday. The National Weather Service issued a Big Island flood watch, forecasting 5 to 10 inches of rain and isolated totals up to 15 inches on windward and southeastern slopes. Officials warned that saturated ground could make rainfall dangerous, increasing risks of flash flooding, mudslides and runoff. About 9,000 Big Island customers remained without power Saturday after Lala, which produced 43.54 inches of rain in one area and caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. Gov. Green urged residents to replenish essential supplies and monitor official forecasts.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

August 15, 2026 — On August 15, Lala passed south, bringing winds and rainfall.
August 16, 2026 — On August 16, Lala weakened while flooding damaged roads, infrastructure.
August 17, 2026 — On August 17, recovery crews cleared mud, debris, and roads.
August 20, 2026 — On August 20, forecasters monitored another disturbance approaching Hawaii rapidly.
August 21, 2026 — On August 21, Moke formed southeast of Hawaii with strength.
August 22, 2026 — On August 22, Moke strengthened while tracking west-northwest toward Hawaii.
August 22, 2026 — On August 22, forecasters issued a Big Island flood watch.
August 22, 2026 — On August 22, Moke remained forecast south of Big Island.
August 23, 2026 — On August 23, heavy rainfall is expected across windward areas.
August 24, 2026 — On August 24, flooding risks persist despite Moke moving westward.
August 25, 2026 — On August 25, recovery efforts should resume if conditions permit.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Hawaii faces renewed flooding risks while recovery crews remain stretched.
Possible long-term US impact: Repeated storms could prolong infrastructure repairs and increase recovery costs.
Reader priority: Readers should prioritize NWS warnings, official updates, and verified reporting.
Most Affected: Big Island residents, utility crews, emergency managers face greatest impacts.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 15
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 12

Explain Framing

Left: Left framing emphasizes communities, climate risks, recovery burdens, and disproportionate impacts. Center: Center framing emphasizes forecast uncertainty, official warnings, storm track, rainfall, impacts. Right: Right framing emphasizes preparedness, personal responsibility, infrastructure resilience, and government response.