Josh Green oversees recovery efforts as Tropical Storm Lala leaves one dead and 100 homes damaged on the Big Island
Tropical Storm Lala left significant damage across Hawaii's Big Island, resulting in one fatality and over 100 homes and bridges damaged. Governor Josh Green reported that intense rainfall and flooding were more destructive than wind, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage statewide. The storm left nearly 104,000 customers without power, with Hawaiian Electric warning that rural areas may face outages for weeks. On the Big Island, Kimo Alameda announced that the southern end of the island suffered the most devastation, with several communities cut off by debris and collapsed roads. The town of Pahala, which houses the region's only hospital, was temporarily blocked by a collapsed highway. State Representative Jeanné Kapela described the southern point of the United States as being in shambles, noting that two cemeteries in Naalehu were washed out. The administration announced that public schools and county offices on the Big Island will remain closed on Tuesday to facilitate cleanup. Federal officials have pledged recovery help, with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz urging for emergency funding to be approved.