City opens eight hurricane refuge areas as O‘ahu prepares for Hurricane Lala

HONOLULU – Eight City hurricane refuge areas opened across Oʻahu at 8 a.m. Saturday as a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the island as Hurricane Lala now moves closer to the Hawaiian Islands.

The City and County of Honolulu’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Honolulu Police Department’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) remain fully activated, coordinating response operations across City departments and first responder agencies.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi addressing first responders at the Emergency Operations Center on Saturday morning.

With conditions expected to deteriorate through the weekend, City officials are urging residents and visitors to stay informed, avoid unnecessary travel once severe weather develops, stay away from shorelines and waterways, and be prepared to remain in a safe location as Lala passes through the state.

Latest forecast

Hurricane Lala continues to move west-northwest through the Hawaiian Islands, with bands of heavy rain and strong wind gusts already spreading across Hawaiʻi Island Saturday morning. As of the latest Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisory, Lala had maximum sustained winds of approximately 70 mph and was moving west. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Hawaiʻi Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Oʻahu.

For Oʻahu, conditions are expected to deteriorate later Saturday and tonight, with tropical storm-force winds possible as early as this evening. Heavy rainfall associated with Lala is expected to reach Oʻahu by this evening and continue into Sunday. Leeward areas could receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, while windward areas could see 4 to 6 inches, with isolated totals up to 8 inches. The heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding, rapidly rising streams, and flooding of low-lying and urban areas. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Oʻahu from Saturday evening through early Monday morning.

Dangerous ocean conditions are also developing as Lala approaches. A High Surf Warning remains in effect for east-facing shores of Oʻahu through 6 a.m. Sunday, with surf expected to peak Saturday night. Residents and visitors should stay away from affected shorelines and avoid unnecessary travel as winds and rainfall increase.

Residents are reminded that hazardous conditions can extend well away from Lala’s center and should not make safety decisions based solely on the projected track.

“We have spent the entire week getting ready for this storm, and today our focus shifts to keeping people safe as conditions begin to change,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our emergency operations are fully activated, our hurricane refuge areas are open, and our first responders and City crews are positioned across Oʻahu. I am asking everyone to make smart decisions today. Stay away from dangerous shorelines and waterways, avoid unnecessary travel as conditions deteriorate, and stay somewhere safe. Please continue to look out for your family, your neighbors, and especially our kūpuna.”

Eight hurricane refuge areas open

Eight hurricane refuge areas opened at 8 a.m. Saturday and will remain available as conditions warrant:

Blanche Pope Elementary School
Castle High School
Kahuku Elementary School
Kapolei High School
Mililani High School
Moanalua High School
Nānākuli Elementary School
Roosevelt High School

The refuge areas are available to residents and visitors who need temporary protection from severe weather. All eight locations are pet-friendly. Individuals should bring their own food, water, medications, and other essential items whenever possible, along with necessary food, water, and supplies for their pets.

The most current list and status of hurricane refuge areas is available on the City’s hurricane refuge area information page p.veoci.com/hnlshelter.

H.O.N.U. operations

As part of the City’s storm response, 63 residents of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for the Unsheltered (H.O.N.U.) program were relocated Saturday morning to the Kapolei High School gymnasium, providing a safe indoor location during the severe weather. Following the relocation, tents and equipment at the H.O.N.U. site are being taken down and secured until conditions improve.

City response operations continue

City departments and agencies remain in an elevated operational posture, with crews monitoring conditions and prepared to respond throughout the storm.

Ocean Safety: The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) is urging residents and visitors to stay out of hazardous ocean conditions as Tropical Storm Lala approaches. On Friday alone, lifeguards in the Waikīkī/Ala Moana district conducted 4,477 preventive actions and 95 rescues amid changing conditions. With storm-generated waves expected to impact Oʻahu’s south- and east-facing shores, the public should follow lifeguard instructions and posted warnings and avoid unnecessary risks near the ocean. When in doubt, don’t go out.

Parks and recreation: All City and County of Honolulu Botanical Gardens will be closed Sunday, August 16, due to forecast conditions and potential impacts from Tropical Storm Lala. This includes Foster, Hoʻomaluhia, Koko Crater, Liliʻuokalani and Wahiawā botanical gardens.

All other City parks and recreational facilities will suspend activities beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and continuing Sunday until further notice. This includes permitted activities, overnight camping and People’s Open Markets. Parks staff will assess conditions Sunday to determine when facilities are safe to reopen.

Urban forestry crews responded to a downed tree overnight on Nuʻuanu Pali Road, and additional downed trees and branches are possible as strong winds increase. Residents should use caution on roadways and in outdoor areas and avoid unnecessary travel as conditions deteriorate.

Stream and flood preparations: Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) crews completed stream-mouth work Friday night at Pōkaʻi Bay 1, Pōkaʻi Bay 2, ʻUlehawa, and Ka‘elepulu, timed with tidal conditions to improve stream flow and reduce the potential for water to back up in surrounding areas. Crews continue to monitor stream levels and drainage systems across Oʻahu and are prepared to respond as conditions change.

Water system: Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) crews have completed final readiness checks at facilities and sites across Oʻahu, including testing radio communications and inspecting generators that can provide backup power for critical pumping operations.

BWS is asking customers to conserve water before, during, and after the storm, particularly if power outages occur. Because pumps throughout the water system rely on electricity, island-wide conservation can help maintain reservoir levels and reduce demand on the system during outages.

Wastewater response: Department of Environmental Services (ENV) crews are preparing for potential impacts from heavy rainfall, including staging vacuum and cesspool trucks across Oʻahu, fueling and inspecting vehicles, emptying debris tanks, and ensuring collection systems remain operational. Pump station personnel will closely monitor conditions and are prepared to respond to power outages or communications disruptions. Environmental Quality crews are also readying sampling equipment and warning signs and will support wastewater treatment and collection system crews if spills occur, coordinating with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health as necessary.

Technology and emergency communications: The Department of Information Technology (DIT) has taken additional steps to protect critical City technology and communications systems. Mission-critical data have been backed up, redundant power systems and generators are ready, and radio, tower, and other emergency communications systems have been tested. DIT has also prepared equipment and systems to allow essential City technology operations to continue remotely if necessary.

Public urged to stay safe as conditions deteriorate

Residents and visitors should closely monitor official information throughout the weekend and be prepared for conditions to change quickly.

Once heavy rain or strong winds develop, avoid unnecessary travel and keep roadways clear for first responders. Never drive or walk through floodwaters, and stay away from streams and other waterways that can rise rapidly.

Stay away from beaches, rocky coastlines and other shoreline areas as surf and ocean conditions become increasingly dangerous.

Residents should keep phones and backup batteries charged and be prepared for possible power outages. Check on kūpuna, neighbors and others who may need additional assistance.

Non-emergency call center now open

The City and County of Honolulu’s non-emergency call center is now open to provide storm-related information and assistance to residents and visitors.

Residents and visitors may call (808) 723-8960 for non-emergency information, including the latest storm and weather updates, hurricane refuge area information, and other City resources and services. The Department of Customer Services is staffing the call center throughout the event.

If you are experiencing an emergency or need immediate assistance, call 911.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center will remain activated throughout the storm, and additional updates will be provided as conditions warrant.

The City’s next public update is expected at 4 p.m. Saturday, or sooner if conditions warrant.

—PAU—

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