Multiple outlets reported that Hurricane Lala, which passed south of the Hawaiian islands as a Category 1 storm on Saturday, caused significant disruption on Maui including widespread power outages, downed trees, and communication failures. While the Big Island bore the brunt of the storm, Maui experienced winds up to 70 mph, property damage, and road blockages. Maui County has since announced green waste disposal options to help residents manage storm debris cleanup.
- Hurricane Lala skirted roughly 30 miles off the southern coast of Hawaiʻi island as a Category 1 storm, hitting the Big Island hardest while still delivering significant impacts to Maui.
- More than 26,000 Hawaiian Electric customers in Maui County lost power over the weekend.
- Winds on Maui reached up to 70 mph, with estimates exceeding 130 mph at higher elevations. (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
- At least four businesses in Makawao were damaged when eucalyptus trees crashed through their roofs. (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
- A 75-foot tree on Oili Road in Haiku toppled a utility pole and its wires, blocking driveways and trapping residents of three properties for multiple days; a Hawaiian Electric crew arrived Monday and restored power by Tuesday. (Hawaii News Now)
- Many rural Maui residents simultaneously lost power, internet, and cell service, with some resorting to Starlink satellite service or driving to higher ground to find a signal. (Maui Now)
- The owner of Hasegawa General Store in East Maui said losing all communications simultaneously was ‘really unusual’ in his lifetime of living there. (Maui Now)
- On the Big Island, the storm damaged more than 200 homes, caused severe mudslides, washed out major highways, and killed two people. (Maui Now)
- Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management is offering two green waste disposal options: self-haul to Central Maui Landfill or Hawaii Organics Compost facility, or a free 30-yard roll-off bin pickup available on a first-come, first-served basis by calling (808) 270-7631. (Maui County)
Sources
- Santa Cruz Sentinel: Don Miller | Like a hurricane: Lala’s message to Hawaii – and Santa Cruz
- Maui Now: Pay for Starlink or ‘climb a hill’: How rural Maui endured Hurricane Lala without power, internet, cell service
- Hawaii News Now: Maui families trapped for days after Lala’s winds topple 75-foot tree, utility lines
- Maui County: In wake of TS Lala, County announces green waste disposal options
Share this article
