Big Island Braces for Fresh Flood Threat After Lala
Hawaii’s Big Island is under renewed flood risk as heavy rain continues in the wake of tropical storm Lala, prompting advisories and possible road closures.
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Big Island Braces for More Rain as Lala Floods Linger
The Weather Channel reports that Hawaii's Big Island could receive another foot of rain, worsening the floods and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Lala and prompting renewed warnings and precautions.
Moke Douses Hawaii’s Big Island with Rain and Gusty Winds
Tropical Storm Moke is tracking south of the Hawaiian Islands but will still bring periods of heavy rain and gusty winds to the Big Island today through Monday, with the heaviest rainfall on windward and southeast slopes. A Flood Watch and Wind Advisory remain in effect for the Big Island, while tradewinds strengthen and drier conditions are expected to return by mid next week. Residents should expect east-shore cyclone swell, a small south pulse through the weekend, and next-week swells along north and west coasts.
Moke strengthens as Hawaii braces for heavy rain and gusty winds
Tropical Storm Moke is strengthening as it moves west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands, bringing heavy rainfall (5–10 inches on the Big Island, with isolated totals up to 15 inches) and gusty winds tonight into Sunday. The center is forecast to pass south of the Big Island, with winds remaining robust but gradually weakening. Residents should be alert for potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides in windward terrain; Maui could see 3–6 inches of rain on the east side, with 1–2 inches elsewhere. Swells from Moke will affect eastern and southern shores over the next few days, and another advisory is expected around 5 p.m. HST.
Big Island prep for Tropical Storm Moke as heavy rains loom
Hawaii’s Big Island is bracing for Tropical Storm Moke as forecasters warn of heavy rain and gusty winds. The region already saw extreme rainfall from a prior system, with the northeast coast of the island recording 43.54 inches (1.1 meters). Roughly 9,000 customers were without power, and officials led by Gov. Josh Green urged residents to stock up on essentials and prepare for potential flooding and outages as Moke approaches.
Big Island braces for Lala aftermath as closures ripple across schools and offices
Following Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is under broad closures: all Hawaiʻi Island public schools and state/county offices, parks and courts are closed on Monday, with Nāālehu Elementary closed through Aug. 20 and Konawaena High School and other campuses closed, while Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary may be closed longer; Hilo and Kona airports reopened after inspections and harbors are operating; a brown water advisory is in effect and islandwide Essential Needs Only water restrictions are in place; about 41,190 customers remain without power as crews work to restore service; shelters are limited to two locations for severely affected residents; Hele-On bus routes are largely canceled; multiple road and park closures persist, with GoHawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi EMA providing updates for residents and visitors.
Hurricane Lala Fizzles to Tropical Storm, But Hawaii Faces Drenching Floods
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm as it skimmed Hawaii’s Big Island, but brought torrential rain and strong winds that triggered flash floods, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands, prompted search-and-rescue efforts and shelter openings, and left at least one death as authorities warned of ongoing flood and weather threats across the islands.
Lala Downgrades to Tropical Storm, Big Island Braces for Winds and Flooding
Tropical Storm Lala, downgraded from hurricane and located about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona, continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rain and flash flooding to the Big Island as it moves northwest; a flash flood warning is in effect through Sunday morning with rain rates up to 1.5 inches/hour and 10–17 inches already observed on the eastern Big Island, with another 5–10 inches possible across the island and Maui County; a tropical storm warning remains, and coastal surge up to 3 feet is possible along east-facing shores.
Hawaii on alert for possible direct hurricane strike as Lala nears
Hawaii faces a potential direct strike from Category 1 Hurricane Lala, the first to threaten the state since 1992, with winds near 75 mph, up to 25 inches of rain on the Big Island and a possible 3-foot storm surge. A hurricane warning covers the Big Island and tropical storm warnings for Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau; officials warn of life-threatening floods and mudslides, and flights have been canceled as shelters prepare. The storm is expected to pass near the Big Island this weekend, possibly weakening to a tropical storm afterward, while scientists note record July ocean temperatures linked to El Niño that can fuel such systems.
Hawaii Braces for Lala as Tropical Storm Could Strengthen into Hurricane
Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii, triggering a hurricane warning for the Big Island and tropical-storm watches for Maui County. Forecasters warn of heavy rainfall (8–12 inches on Maui and the Big Island, up to 25 inches in higher elevations), strong winds, and dangerous surf this weekend, with mudslides, landslides and coastal erosion possible along windward and southern shores as Lala nears Saturday.
Big Island triple murder suspect charged in Hawaii
Jacob Daniel Baker was charged with three counts of murder in connection with the killings of three people on Hawaii’s Big Island; authorities say he was arrested in the case, with updates reported by AP through May 31, 2026.
Triple murder charges filed in rural Hawaii on the Big Island
Jacob Daniel Baker, 36, of Pāhoa, Hawaii, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the killings of three men found in the Puna district on Hawaii’s Big Island. He also faces multiple counts of theft, burglary, criminal property damage, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. Baker is held without bond and due in court June 1 after an island-wide manhunt ended with his May 28 arrest in Kalapana. The victims—Robert Shine, 69; Chitta Morse, 79; and John Carse, 69—were discovered in separate locations, and authorities say the deaths appear linked to a single suspect, though a motive has not yet been released.
Triple-murger suspect in Hawaii’s Puna area after island-wide manhunt
A 36-year-old man, Jacob Daniel Baker, was charged with first- and second-degree murder in the killings of three men in Hawaii’s rural Puna district following a manhunt; he also faces burglary, auto theft and criminal damage charges. Investigators have not disclosed a motive and say there are no known connections among the victims.
Big Island arrest caps tense hunt over killings of three elderly men
Authorities on Hawaii's Big Island arrested 36-year-old Jacob Baker after a massive manhunt for the killings of three elderly men. Baker faces murder, burglary and related charges and is described as armed and dangerous; investigators say he was involved in all three deaths, whose bodies were found over two days in remote areas, with a third victim found about 19 miles away. No motive has been released and residents expressed relief after the arrest.
Arrest Made in Hawaii Killings Case on the Big Island
Authorities say a man wanted in connection with multiple killings on Hawaii’s Big Island was apprehended, ending a manhunt and moving the investigation forward.