Hawaii officials made a final push for residents to prepare as Tropical Storm Lala approached the state. Governor Josh Green described the weather event as a very serious storm during a press conference at the State Capitol.
Governor Green noted that the state has not experienced a hurricane making landfall in a significant amount of time, stating that residents have not experienced such an event in decades. The last hurricane to make landfall was Iniki on Kauai in 1992, while the last known hurricane to hit Hawaii Island was in 1871.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the state adjutant general, stated that the state has learned from extreme weather experienced in the spring. He noted that officials addressed specific streams that caused problems and that state and county crews have been clearing waterways. Logan added that the state now monitors water levels in reservoirs, such as the Nuuanu and Wahiawa Reservoirs, on an hourly basis.
National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist John Bravender said the damaging wind field from Lala is much larger than that of Tropical Storm Iselle, which made landfall on the Kau coast in 2014. Bravender noted that even if the track shows the storm passing south of the islands, tropical storm force winds could extend north and impact all islands.
To assist with a quick response, Governor Green stated that the state's major disaster fund has $100 million immediately available. He also mentioned that FEMA and the White House have been in contact regarding the situation.
Maj. Gen. Logan said 180 Hawaii National Guard personnel have been activated and positioned statewide for rescue operations, noting that other National Guard units across the country have pledged support if needed.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents to use common sense and to avoid extracurricular activities that could turn into rescue missions.
The state's increased preparedness follows recent extreme weather, including a pair of kona lows that impacted much of the state five months prior.
