Kauaʻi faces widespread disruptions as Lala sweeps past with strong winds and rain

Tropical Storm Lala brought strong winds, heavy rain and widespread disruptions to Kauaʻi on Sunday, leaving visitors scrambling to rearrange travel plans while residents dealt with downed trees, damaged property, road closures and power outages.

Across the island, the storm’s effects were visible on the roads and in the neighborhoods.

Residents reported fences and other outdoor structures being knocked down by gusty winds, while crews responded to trees that had fallen across roadways causing multiple closures.

Kūhiō Highway near the historic Hanalei Bridge was closed due to storm conditions affecting the North Shore. Several other roads around the island were also blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines.

It was clear most residents and visitors heeded officials’ warnings to stay off the roads during the storm, with Hanalei and much of the island looking like ghost towns on Sunday morning.

Residents and visitors also were urged to avoid outdoor recreation while dangerous conditions persist. The Kalalau Trail was closed on Thursday, and a little before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Air 1 helicopter was grounded due to increasing weather conditions.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative warned that outages could occur across the island as high winds, flooding and falling trees threatened electrical infrastructure. At 10 a.m. on Sunday, more than 7,300 customers were without power and internet access. Restoration crews did a good job to get that number down to 1,500 by 6 p.m. Sunday.

For some residents, the storm meant more than a temporary loss of electricity.

Trees and limbs came down in neighborhoods, blocking access and creating additional hazards around homes and utility lines. Officials warned residents never to approach a downed power line because it should be treated as energized.

Lala, which had strengthened to a hurricane before weakening, was moving westward on Sunday as its outer bands continued to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Kauaʻi and other Hawaiian islands. The storm did not make a direct landfall on the Big Island, but its effects were felt across the state, including widespread power outages and significant damage elsewhere in Hawaiʻi.

On Kauaʻi, officials also closed state parks, trails and camping areas and suspended the Haʻena Shuttle. A brown water advisory was issued, with health officials warning people to stay out of streams and other water that appeared brown or murky after heavy rainfall.

As Lala moves past Kauaʻi, the immediate concern will shift on Monday to cleanup and recovery. Crews faced the task of clearing fallen trees, assessing electrical and other infrastructure damage, and reopening roads as conditions allowed.

Officials continued to urge residents and visitors to stay indoors when conditions were dangerous, avoid flooded roads and remain alert for additional closures as rain and wind continued to move across Kauai.

Kapaʻa Middle School was one of three open evacuation centers across the island. By noon, three residents and a dog named Bigbi took refuge. A family of three and two men also sought refuge at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Martha, who is houseless and did not want to provide her last name, said she evacuated to Kapaʻa Middle School around 2 a.m. for the safety of herself and her dog Zangi.

“I was waiting, waiting and waiting for the winds to slow down, but they werenʻt slowing down, so then I decided to leave my car and come to safety here,” she said.

For stranded visitors, the storm was not over simply because the strongest winds began to ease. With flights canceled and roads affected by storm debris, getting off the Garden Island remained a waiting game.

Līhuʻe Airport remained open, but all inbound and outbound flights were canceled through 2 p.m. Sunday, leaving some visitors unable to leave the island as scheduled.

Travelers were advised to check directly with their airlines as additional cancellations and delays remained possible.

At Kapaʻa Shores Hotel, the Gittens’ ohana, on vacation from Pennsylvania, said their Alaska Airlines flight back to their home was canceled due to Lala.

“We’re making the best of it,” Linda Kittens said. “Weʻll just hang out here until we get rebooked. Itʻs a beautiful island, and I appreciate how beautiful people are.”