City urges residents to stay safe as Tropical Storm Lala brings strong, damaging winds
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is urging residents and visitors to prepare to remain in a safe location throughout the morning Sunday as Tropical Storm Lala moves through the Hawaiian Islands bringing strong, damaging winds.
Oʻahu remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, and the City’s eight hurricane refuge areas have been open since 8 a.m. Saturday. The City’s Emergency Operations Center and Honolulu Police Department Joint Operations Center remain fully activated, with City departments and first responders monitoring conditions and coordinating response operations across the island.
As of 2 a.m. Sunday, the Honolulu Fire Department has responded to 123 weather-related incidents, including 58 downed trees, 39 blown roofs, 12 downed power lines, 12 arcing-wire incidents, one high-angle rescue, and one swimmer rescue. The Honolulu Police Department has been instrumental in implementing road closures and directing traffic where trees, powerlines, or other storm debris have blocked roadways. The Department of Facility Maintenance and the Department of Parks and Recreation have been actively removing debris from roadways and other property throughout the night.
Latest forecast
Lala continues to generate powerful winds as it moves through the Hawaiian Islands, heading west-northwest. Lala has been downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. Oʻahu remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and a flood advisory is in effect.
Right now, tens of thousands of HECO customers are without power and many large trees were snapped or were uprooted overnight, making roads impassable. Heavy rain associated with the storm remains a possibility, even as the storm slowly loses strength. Oʻahu is under a high surf advisory until 2 p.m. Sunday.
Hurricane refuge areas remain open
Eight City hurricane refuge areas remain open across Oʻahu for residents and visitors who need a safe place during the storm.
- 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
All locations are pet-friendly. Individuals should bring food, water, medications, and other essential items whenever possible, along with necessary supplies for their pets.
As of 4 a.m. Sunday, 93 people were staying at the eight refuge areas.
City response operations
City departments and first responder agencies will remain fully staffed and operational throughout the morning, with crews positioned to respond to flooding, downed trees, blocked roadways, wastewater issues and other storm-related emergencies.
Public transportation
Due to high winds and rain across Oʻahu, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has temporarily suspended TheBus services to ensure the safety of passengers, operators, and the traveling public.
TheBus services will remain suspended until weather conditions improve and it is safe to resume operations.
Skyline will resume normal operational hours from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Handi-Van will continue normal operations. The public is urged to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, allow extra time for travel, and exercise extreme caution if driving.
Refuse operations
The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) will close all refuse convenience centers, transfer stations, and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on Sunday, August 16, due to expected severe weather. Conditions will be reassessed Sunday to determine whether facilities can safely reopen Monday.
ENV is also urging residents to secure gray, blue, and green refuse carts before winds intensify. Carts should be moved into a garage or carport when possible, or placed against a building or wall out of the wind to prevent them from tipping over or becoming airborne.
Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo closed to the public at 1 p.m. Saturday as strong winds associated with Lala increased across Oʻahu. The precautionary closure was taken to protect visitors, employees and animals. Zoo staff continues to care for the animals and monitor conditions, and the facility will reopen once it is determined safe to do so.
Municipal Golf Courses
Department of Enterprise Services (DES) will temporarily suspend play at all municipal golf courses on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 due to the severe weather conditions.
Parks and recreation
All City parks and recreational facilities will suspend activities until further notice, including permitted activities, overnight camping and People’s Open Markets.
All City botanical gardens will be closed Sunday. Parks personnel will assess facilities as conditions allow before determining when they can safely reopen.
Water conservation
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is asking all residents to limit water use to essential needs, including drinking, cooking and sanitation. Island-wide conservation will help keep reservoirs as full as possible before, during and after the storm, particularly if power outages affect pumping operations.
Stay home and stay safe
As conditions worsen, residents should avoid unnecessary travel and remain in a safe location whenever possible.
Never drive through a flooded roadway. Stay away from streams, drainage channels and other waterways, which can rise rapidly with little warning. Stay away from beaches and shorelines experiencing dangerous surf.
Keep phones and backup batteries charged and be prepared for possible power outages. Secure any remaining loose outdoor items only if it is safe to do so.
If you experience an emergency, call 911.
City non-emergency call center
The City’s non-emergency call center remains open to provide storm-related information and assistance.
Residents and visitors may call (808) 723-8960 for non-emergency information, including weather updates, hurricane refuge area information, and other City resources and services.
Sign up for customized HNL Alert notifications at HNLAlert.gov or text HNLALERT to 888777 to receive urgent emergency notifications.
The City’s Emergency Operations Center will remain fully activated throughout the night, and City departments and first responders will continue monitoring conditions and responding to storm-related impacts across Oʻahu.
The City will provide regular public updates with the next update scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Residents and visitors should continue monitoring official City communications and HNL Alert notifications as conditions change.
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