Hurricane Lala: Rain And Wind Lash Waikiki.

Naalehu, United States - August 16, 2026 Tropical Storm Lala continued to move west and away from Hawaii early Monday after skirting the Big Island as a hurricane, causing damaging winds and torrential rainfall. It is still bringing winds, rough surf and rain to the islands, CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan said. While it was at its strongest, Lala pounded the Big Island's coast with powerful waves as it slowly passed. Howling winds whipped palm trees and waterways swelled with fast-moving runoff from relentless rain that blew nearly sideways. Five places in Hawaii got 35 inches or more of rain, with Kapalua, in Maui County, getting inundated with 48 inches. The weather system weakened back to a tropical storm as it continued on its way west, remaining south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands on Sunday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. But it was likely to start regaining strength as it left Hawaii farther behind and become a hurricane again over the open waters of the Pacific by Wednesday. Officials said all state and county offices, state Department of Education schools and public charter schools, courts and judiciary offices would be closed Monday. SHOTLIST Strong rain and wind in Waikiki, Oahu on 16 August. [Credit: X/john_jseagraves]