Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Lala strengthened in the Pacific, with forecasters warning it could bring strong winds, flooding and landslides over the weekend. The National Weather Service said the storm could become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. The report was published on August 14, 2026.

Lala currently has winds of about 50 mph, or 80 kph, with stronger gusts. Weather officials said some areas of the Big Island could receive up to 25 inches, or 63.5 centimeters, of rainfall. The emergency declaration enables faster deployment of funding, equipment and personnel if needed to respond to damage.

Green called the storm a serious threat, particularly for Hawaii Island, and urged residents to secure their homes, gather essential supplies, review family emergency plans and follow updates from reliable official sources. About 210,000 people live on Hawaii Island. The storm's exact path remains uncertain, although forecasts indicate it may remain offshore near the coast. It could be the first tropical storm to make a direct hit on the Hawaiian Islands since 2018.