Following severe impacts from Hurricane Lala, Governor Josh Green announced that all public schools, state and county offices on the Big Island, and Court and Judiciary facilities in 3rd Circuit Court on Hawaiʻi Island will remain closed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The shutdowns aim to allow emergency crews to clear roads and restore power.
Hurricane Lala’s Path Across the Kaʻū District
Hurricane Lala battered Hawaiʻi. In the Kaʻū District, officials are working to restore critical road and water access and provide relief to heavily impacted communities.
During a flyover of storm damage, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda met with Governor Josh Green and Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Logan. Alameda noted that roads are getting cleared and debris is getting cleaned up, though he stated there is a lot of work still to be done.
“What we saw gives us hope,”
Mayor Kimo Alameda, Hawaiʻi County
The County continues to coordinate a multi-agency effort with state and community partners to respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Lala.
Closures and Extended School Disruptions on Tuesday
To support ongoing recovery work and address widespread power outages, Governor Green announced closures. All state and county offices on the Big Island, public charter schools, and Hawaiʻi State Department of Education schools on Hawaiʻi Island will be closed Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Court and Judiciary facilities in 3rd Circuit Court on Hawaiʻi Island will also remain closed Aug. 18, while all other courts and Judiciary facilities statewide will reopen.
Education officials face extended timelines in hardest-hit areas. Nāʻālehu Elementary School will remain closed to students and staff through Thursday, August 20, due to storm-related damage and road closures affecting safe access. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School may also face extended closures as the department continues to assess campus conditions and roadway accessibility. Public schools statewide are already closed Friday in observance of Statehood Day.
Supply Chain and Critical Infrastructure Recovery Efforts
On Kauaʻi, Līhuʻe Airport remains open, while the water service outage for Hā‘ena-Wainiha has been lifted, though a water conservation notice remains in effect noted Kauai Now.
Emergency Response, Power Outages, and Public Health Advisories
Emergency management agencies are working to distribute supplies and assist residents. On Kauaʻi, the Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency has opened damage reporting portals for the public to submit reports related to Tropical Storm Lala.
Utility crews are working around the clock to restore electricity to areas facing power outages.
Safety Warnings as Recovery Shifts to Cleanup Operations
As communities transition from emergency response to clearing debris, local officials emphasize that the danger has not passed.
Property owners sustaining damage are encouraged to document losses and submit reports through county portals, including the portal at www.kauai.gov/KEMA for Kauaʻi residents. With utility crews working to clear blocked transport arteries in Kaʻū, the restoration of electricity and road access remains a primary focus for local authorities.
