Hurricane Lala damages Hawaiian islands without making landfall

Hurricane Lala passed close to Hawaii in August 2026 but never hit land directly. Even so, the storm caused serious damage across several islands. Heavy rain, strong winds, and large waves affected the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Some areas on the Big Island and Maui received up to 20 inches of rain. Floodwater rose quickly, and Manoa Stream on Oahu reached 14 feet. Waves pushed water up to three feet onto southern and eastern shores. Many roads closed, including the Pali Highway on Oahu. Trees fell and blocked streets, cutting power in many neighbourhoods. At least one home in Kalihi lost its roof. The storm showed that Hawaii can suffer major hurricane damage even when a storm does not make landfall.