by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:05 AM ET, Sun August 16, 2026
Update: August 16, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. ET
Hurricane Lala has weakened to a tropical storm after
passing just south of Hawaii Island, but the storm continues to lash the state
with heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous surf as it moves westward through
the island chain.
Lala was about 130 miles south of Honolulu and moving
northwest, with the forecast calling for a brief northwest surge before the
storm turns west-northwest Sunday and moves west of the Hawaiian Islands by
Monday.
The storm remains a significant threat for travelers, with
tropical storm warnings in effect for Hawaii Island, Maui County, Oahu and
Kauai. At the same time, heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and dangerous
surf continue to create hazardous conditions across the state.
Air travel is also being disrupted, with Alaska Airlines and
Hawaiian Airlines reporting 59 neighbor island and 18 transpacific
cancellations Saturday. In comparison, airlines proactively canceled 17
neighbor island and seven transpacific flights for Sunday as they gradually
restore service on Hawaii Island and Maui.
Travelers should keep checking directly with their airlines
before heading to the airport, as GoHawaii warns that additional cancellations
are possible; both Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport
were closed Saturday, and travelers in the islands are urged to shelter in
place and avoid unnecessary road travel.
Update: August 15, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. ET
Tropical Storm Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane
Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour as it approached
Hawaii’s Big Island, bringing the potential for life-threatening flooding,
mudslides, dangerous surf and damaging winds.
Over the next 48 hours, Lala is expected to move northwest
and then turn more westward after interacting with the Big Island, with
hurricane conditions affecting the Big Island Saturday before tropical-storm
conditions spread toward Maui, Oahu and Kauai through Sunday.
The storm is already having a major impact on Hawaii travel,
with Hilo International Airport closed, Kona International Airport scheduled to
close Saturday afternoon and commercial ports across several islands also
shutting down.
Air travelers should expect additional cancellations, delays
and schedule changes, with more than 200 flights canceled Saturday and airlines
including Delta, Hawaiian and Alaska issuing travel waivers for affected Hawaii
itineraries.
For visitors in Hawaii or planning to arrive this weekend,
the situation remains fluid as Lala moves across the islands, making it
essential to check directly with airlines, airports and local officials before
traveling and to be prepared for disruptions that could continue after the
storm passes.
Update: August 15, 2026, at 9:20 a.m. ET
Tropical Storm Lala is expected to intensify into a Category
1 hurricane on Saturday and track near Hawaii throughout the weekend, bringing flooding
rain, rough surf and hurricane-force winds.
According to Weather.com, Lala may not make direct landfall on Hawaii’s
Big Island, but outer bands are already bringing pockets of heavy rain and
gusty winds, with life-threatening conditions still possible in the region.
State officials have issued a tropical storm warning for
Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, and
for Oahu and Kauai County.
Winds could reach 70 miles per hour, and tropical storm
conditions are expected by late Saturday.
Lala is tracking toward the west-northwest, bringing its
center near the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, then near or just south of
the rest of the islands into Sunday. In total, 8 to 12 inches of rain is
expected over Maui and the Big Island, with peak totals up to 25 inches on the
Big Island through Sunday.
Original Text
Tropical Storm Lala, which is forecasted to become a hurricane before it hits the Big Island of Hawai’i this Saturday, August 15, is currently impacting flights and cruises in the region.
Here’s what you should know.
The Latest Forecast
According to the National Hurricane Center’s most recent update, Lala, which is currently 435 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawai’i, is exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, moving at a slow pace of only 10 mph. Lala is expected to move toward Hawai’i on Saturday and toward the smaller islands on Sunday. Tropical-storm-force winds could extend outward from the center of the hurricane up to 275 miles.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawai’i County, with a tropical storm watch issued for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.
Hazardous hurricane conditions could include high, damaging wind speeds on Saturday, along with 8-12 inches of rainfall across Maui and the Big Island. Maximum totals could reach 25 inches, increasing the chance of mudslides and flooding. Around the coast, a storm surge could flood one to three feet, with dangerous currents.
The Travel Impact of Tropical Storm Lala
While there haven’t been too many impacted flights just yet, several airlines are preparing for Lala’s impact, issuing travel waivers so those within the storm’s path can rebook without paying an extra fee or cancel their reservations with no penalties.
Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Air Canada are offering these waivers with differing terms for those flying to and from Hawaiian airports between August 14 and August 16. Other airlines are likely to follow suit.
FlightAware is not yet reporting any delays or cancellations regarding the tropical storm, though that is also expected to change.
It’s also likely that the tropical storm-turned-hurricane will impact cruising.
CruiseHive reported that one Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the Pride of America, had to divert from its original itinerary to dock in what is expected to be calmer waters off the Port of Honolulu.
“A developing tropical storm in the Central Pacific, southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, is expected to bring strong winds and challenging conditions to the region, resulting in the potential closure of the Port of Honolulu,” Norwegian Cruise Line explained in a letter to current guests. “To ensure we can safely arrive in Honolulu ahead of these anticipated restrictions, Pride of America will depart Nawiliwili on August 13, 2026, and proceed to Honolulu where we intend to remain until 5:00 pm local time on August 14, 2026.”
Travelers currently on cruise ships around Hawai’i might find their itineraries changed by the incoming severe weather. Others hoping to begin their cruises this weekend should keep checking their cruise line communications to see whether their embarkation schedule has changed.
Travelers and residents planning on visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park should know that much of the park will be closing in a phased manner on August 14-15.
"Kilauea Military Camp, Volcano House and the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio will remain open for registered guests only. Lodging guests must shelter in place and not recreate outdoors for everyone’s safety," the park explained in its notice.
Those at resorts near the sea may be advised to evacuate inland or shelter in place on the property’s designated shelter. They should remain alert for any new weather statements and prepare accordingly.
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