(BIVN) – State and County officials are preparing for the arrival of Lala, a tropical storm that could strengthen into a hurricane by the time it nears Hawaiʻi island on Saturday. Some closures have already been announced, but some operations will go on as planned.
For example, public schools on Hawaiʻi Island will not be closed tomorrow. Normal school-day operations will take place on Friday, August 14.
“In-person instruction will continue as scheduled,” the Hawaiʻi Department of Education stated. “School principals may cancel select after school activities on Friday afternoon.”
All Hawaiʻi Island public school campuses and offices will close from 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16. All previously scheduled school-related events and activities during the closure period will be canceled or postponed.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is planning parkwide closures. The Mauna Loa summit, Red Hill, and Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu were shut down on Thursday afternoon.
These Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park areas will close on Friday, August 14th, at noon:
- The Welcome Center and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store
- Kahuku Unit
- All trails and Nāhuku lava tube
- Tent camping at Nāmakanipaio campground
- All backcountry sites including the coast and Pepeiao
- Chain of Craters Road and the Crater Rim Drive East
“Kilauea Military Camp, Volcano House and the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio will remain open for registered guests only,” the National Park Service stated. “Lodging guests must shelter in place and not recreate outdoors for everyone’s safety.”
The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense stated Tropical Storm Lala poses a real threat of impacting Hawaii Island, and advised the following:
- Residents and businesses of Hawaii Island should expect and prepare for possible Damaging Winds, Flooding
- Rains, High Surf, power outages, loss of communications, and road closures.
- Please take this threat seriously and check your emergency kit for adequate food, water, medication, fuel, flashlights with working batteries, and emergency contact information.
- Secure all outdoor items that could become airborne.
- Boat owners and those with shoreline property, prepare for possible high surf impact.
- Complete your Pre-landfall Preparation as soon as you can.
- To stay informed, sign up for Civil Defense alerts by texting HawaiiAlerts at 888777.
Governor Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation Thursday, declaring a state of emergency for the State of Hawai‘i ahead of Lala. The proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund, positions state personnel to respond to the storm, and authorizes the activation of the Hawaiʻi National Guard, if needed.
“Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island — and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed,” said Governor Green in a statement. “Our state and county emergency teams are coordinating closely with federal partners. I urge everyone to secure their homes, gather essential supplies, review their family emergency plans and follow updates from trusted official sources. Please take this storm seriously and look out for one another.”
