Emergency responses to Tropical Storm Lala continue as winds and heavy rain persist
O‘AHU – The City and County of Honolulu is urging residents and visitors to remain safe and vigilant as the impacts from Tropical Storm Lala continue around O‘ahu on Sunday.
As of 11 a.m. Sunday, August 16, Oʻahu remains under a Tropical Storm Warning with Tropical Storm Lala moving west-northwest at a speed of 17 m.p.h. While the storm continues to exit the main Hawaiian Islands, severe weather impacts are still forecast across Oʻahu through Sunday afternoon.
This includes strong winds and continuous rainfall, with gusts over 40mph (stronger in higher elevation areas) and rain across the island. With already saturated conditions, tree and branch failures are expected to continue. As a result, we advise folks to limit their use of roadways and avoid the ocean, streams, ponds in roadways, and any fast flowing water. A high surf advisory also remains in effect for east-facing shores.
The City’s Emergency Operations Center and Honolulu Police Department Joint Operations Center remain fully activated, with City departments and first responders monitoring conditions and coordinating response operations across the island.
The City’s informational call center is available at 808-723-8960 for non-emergency information. If you need immediate, emergency assistance, please continue to dial 911.
Debris Cleanup
Even after the most significant weather has passed, hazards such as downed power lines, fallen trees, debris, and flooded or damaged roadways can remain.
City officials are also reminding the public to use caution during cleanup. Many storm-related injuries occur during cleanup and recovery. Anyone using equipment to clear debris or address damage should know how to operate it safely and wear appropriate protective gear.
Property owners who experienced storm-related damage are encouraged to report it through the City’s damage assessment form at honolulu.gov/homedamage. The information will help the City assess the extent of damage across Oʻahu. Submitting the form is not an application for disaster assistance, relief, or emergency funding.
First Responder Activity
From midnight Friday through 9 a.m. Sunday, Emergency Medical Services responded to 408 calls for service, including more than 200 transports to hospitals and 35 traffic-related incidents.
The Honolulu Fire Department received 629 calls for service between 7 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. The City also received 149 reports involving fallen trees and branches, damaged or blown roofs, and downed power lines.
Ocean Safety lifeguard towers were shuttered Sunday due to storm conditions and are being brought back online as conditions allow. Lifeguards will be providing mobile response to 911 calls until weather conditions allow for those safe tower operations.
Removal of fallen tree on Kapi‘olani Boulevard near Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Hurricane refuge areas remain open
At the peak of operations, 247 people were at the hurricane refuge areas. Those facilities will remain open until the storm threat has passed. The City will continue to assess needs and determine whether any transition to longer-term sheltering is necessary.
Eight City hurricane refuge areas remain open across Oʻahu for residents and visitors who need a safe place during the storm.
- Blanche Pope Elementary School
- Castle High School
- Kahuku Elementary School
- Kapolei High School
- Mililani High School
- Moanalua High School
- Nānākuli Elementary School
- Roosevelt High School
All locations are pet-friendly. Individuals should bring food, water, medications, and other essential items whenever possible, along with necessary supplies for their pets.
Public transportation
TheBus service is gradually returning to normal schedule as of 9:30 a.m. this morning. However, the following routes are experiencing detours off their regular routes:
Routes 1, 1L, and 23 in ʻĀina Haina on West Hind Drive
Route 14 in St. Louis and Maunalani Heights and the Diamond Head area in Waikīkī
Route 65 in Kāneʻohe at Kahekili Highway and Haʻikū Road
Routes 66 and 67 crossing the Pali Highway in Nuʻuanu
Route 123 in Pacific Heights
Route 415 in Kalaeloa
Major corridor routes through Honolulu including A Line, W Line, and Routes C, E, W1, W2, W3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 54, and 60 are operating normally, with the possibility of minor delays due to ongoing cleanup. Routes in ʻEwa, Kapolei, and the Waiʻanae Coast are largely unaffected.
Handi-Van and Skyline services are operating normally. However, there may be delays due to road closures, flooding, or fallen debris.
The City encourages everyone to stay indoors and off the roads as hazardous conditions on the roadway still exist as City and State crews engage in post-storm cleanup activities. Main thoroughfares like Kalākaua, Avenue, Pali Highway, and Kamehameha Highway may be closed. If you must travel today, please drive with caution, Aloha, and respect for others on the road, especially our first responders and roadway maintenance workers. Treat all out-of-service traffic signals as an all-way stop. For the latest traffic advisories, please check HNL Alert for updates.
The City will always prioritize the safety of passengers, operators, and transit system during severe weather events and emergencies, and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this suspension of service and subsequent restoration has caused.
Refuse operations
All refuse convenience centers, transfer stations, and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill are closed today, Sunday, August 16. Conditions will be reassessed by Department of Environmental Services (ENV) crews to determine whether facilities can safely reopen Monday.
ENV crews will continue regular Monday collection for gray, blue and green carts and will notify residents of any service cancellation in specific areas as crews work to clear fallen trees and storm debris.
If your refuse, recycling, or green compost cart was damaged during the storm, please contact ENV’s collection branch to request a repair or replacement. Residents can call 808-768-3200 or email collection@honolulu.gov with their address and a description of the damage. Crews will assess and address damaged carts as quickly as possible, following the storm.
City-operated Recreational Facilities
The following City-operated recreational facilities are closed today, Sunday, August 16:
• All Honolulu Botanical Gardens
• The Honolulu Zoo
• All Municipal Golf Courses
• Outdoor park activities including camping, the People’s Open Markets, and permitted events
• The Neal S. Blaisdell Center’s BIA Home Building & Remodeling Show in the Exhibition Hall (the Hawai‘i National Boxing International scheduled in the Blaisdell Arena is still occurring).
• Specialty park facilities such as: the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Koko Head Shooting Complex, and Waipi‘o Soccer Complex.
City staff will assess these facilities as conditions allow before determining when they can safely reopen Monday.
Water conservation
Due to widespread power outages in North Shore and metro areas, BWS is reminding all residents to only use water for essential needs — drinking, cooking and sanitation. Island-wide conservation will help to keep reservoirs as full as possible until before, during and after the storm.
Stay home and stay safe
As conditions worsen, residents should avoid unnecessary travel and remain in a safe location whenever possible.
Never drive through a flooded roadway. Stay away from streams, drainage channels and other waterways, which can rise rapidly with little warning. Stay away from beaches and shorelines experiencing dangerous surf.
Keep phones and backup batteries charged and be prepared for possible power outages. Secure any remaining loose outdoor items only if it is safe to do so.
Sign up for customized HNL Alert notifications at HNLAlert.gov or text HNLALERT to 888777 to receive urgent emergency notifications.
The City will provide regular public updates with the next update scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Residents and visitors should continue monitoring official City communications and HNL Alert notifications as conditions change.
—PAU—
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