Full Notification

HNL Alert from the Oahu Department of Emergency Management

Issued: 01:26 PM 08-16-2026  

Tropical Storm Lala Update

Details 

The City and County of Honolulu is urging residents and visitors to remain safe and vigilant as the lingering impacts from Tropical Storm Lala continue around O‘ahu on Sunday.

This includes strong, gusty winds and rainfall across the island. With already saturated conditions, expect fallen trees and branches. Use caution on roadways and avoid the ocean, streams, ponds in roadways, and any fast flowing water.

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 https://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.

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.

City hurricane refuge areas remain open across Oʻahu. Locations and details are available at https://p.veoci.com/hnlshelter. 

Public transportation
TheBus service is gradually returning to normal schedule as of 9:30 a.m. this morning. However, there may be detours or delays for certain routes as impacted roads may be affected by debris. Please use transitapp or your favorite wayfinding tool for route information.  

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. 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.

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 [email protected] 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