Hawaii Endures Third Hurricane in Two Months as Nolo Spares Landfall but Leaves Power Outages and Storm Fatigue

Key points

• Nolo, a Category 4 hurricane, passed south and southwest of the Hawaiian Islands, sparing the Big Island but bringing rain to Kauai.
• Maui County urges residents to prepare for prolonged power and communication outages, with West Maui outages expected until noon on Monday, September 28.
• Hilo Mayor Kimo Alameda described 'storm fatigue' and 'PTSD' among residents, citing anxiety from multiple hurricanes and a recent tsunami threat.
• Hurricane Lala, which hit last month, killed two people and damaged over 200 homes without making landfall, contributing to the current state of emergency.
• The Pacific has been unusually active this season, with at least 19 named storms, consistent with El Niño patterns, according to National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec.

Background

Hawaii has faced a series of severe storms in recent months. In late August, Hurricane Lala caused catastrophic flooding and two deaths. In early September, Hurricane Lowell prompted closures on Kauai, Niihau, and Oahu. Nolo, which intensified to Category 5 status earlier this month, is the third major hurricane to approach the islands in two months, exacerbating existing infrastructure and emotional strain.

How outlets are covering it

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser focuses on the immediate weather impact, noting rain expected in Kauai and power outages on Oahu and Maui. NBC News emphasizes the psychological toll, with Hilo Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighting 'storm fatigue' and 'PTSD' among residents, and details the broader context of 19 named storms this season. Maui Now provides practical guidance for residents, urging them to use battery-powered radios and visit charging stations due to prolonged power and communication outages. All sources agree that Nolo did not make landfall, but they differ in emphasis: Star-Advertiser on local weather, NBC News on the cumulative impact, and Maui Now on immediate resident needs.

Why it matters

The repeated passage of major hurricanes without landfall has strained Hawaii's infrastructure and residents' mental health. The current power and communication outages in Maui, combined with the lingering damage from Lala, highlight the vulnerability of the islands to climate-related disasters. The unusual activity in the Pacific, linked to El Niño, suggests that such events may become more frequent, requiring long-term resilience strategies.

What to watch

Residents in Maui are advised to monitor local radio stations for updates and use charging stations at the Lahaina Civic Center and Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center. Kauai expects rain on Tuesday as Nolo continues to pass. Officials will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as power and communication services are restored.