08/14/2026
Let's hope this system doesn't cause much damage π
Regularly scheduled Lala updates for Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 are posted Online at Maui Now
Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island.
At 5 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 420 miles ESE of Hilo, near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 149.5 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph. This general motion is expected to continue, taking the core of Lala near the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 60 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles north of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb (29.44 inches).
Lala is still forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane when it reaches the Big Island, according to the latest update from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Land interaction and an increase in wind shear should result in Lala weakening back to a tropical storm as it moves south of the remainder of the island chain later in the weekend. Re-strengthening is forecast early next week as vertical wind shear relaxes and Lala remains over warm sea surface temperatures.
Full updates are available Maui Now