NOAA 5 a.m. update: At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC) Friday, Aug. 21, the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 146.0 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h). This general motion is expected to persist over the next several days, with the center of the system passing south of the Big Island of Hawaii this weekend, then the smaller main Hawaiian Islands by early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast over the couple of days, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today. National Hurricane Center.
Lala Triggers Nation’s First Coral Insurance Payment. The unusual policy was created in 2022, and the wind speed brought by Hurricane Lala has triggered a $200,000 payment that will go toward assessing and repairing the reef. Civil Beat.
Hurricane Lala brought 1.3 trillion gallons of water to Hawaii. Hurricane Lala brought in 1.3 trillion gallons of water to the state, equivalent to almost two million Olympic-sized pools. Researchers from the University of Hawaii said that while Lala never made landfall, its close pass brought average statewide rainfall of 11.4 inches. KHON2.
Here's some best practices to verify hurricane relief fundraisers. Hundreds of GoFundMe pages have been launched for Hawaiʻi families to help with hurricane relief, and officials are urging residents to double-check their donations are going to verified fundraisers. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates drop across the board. For measles, mumps, and rubella, Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates fell from 90.1% in 2024-25 to 89.3% in 2025-26. For diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), vaccination rates fell from 92.0% to 88.8%. The target rate for herd immunity is 95%. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
NOAA confirms death of another monk seal on Oahu. NOAA said his death marks the fourth Hawaiian monk seal death on Oahu this year. Earlier this month, a monk seal pup identified as RV36 was found dead, entangled Opens in a new tabin an unattended fishing net near Mokuleia Beach Park. Two other seals, named ‘Umi‘umi and Ka‘ale, have died from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Joint hearing slated for 2 Honolulu City Council election challenges. The Hawaii Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Tuesday in two cases contesting recent Hawaii primary election results for a Honolulu City Council seat held by Tommy Waters. Star-Advertiser.
Dozens Of Hawaiʻi’s Mentally Ill Inmates To Move to Waiawa Prison. Experts say some inmates at Hālawa don’t need to be in the restrictive setting of a medium-security prison, and the setting at Waiawa will be more therapeutic. Civil Beat.
Historic Podmore building in Downtown Honolulu sold for $2.6M. International architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firm ESC Pacific acquired the property in a privately negotiated and off-market transaction. Aloha State Daily.
Hawaii Island
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close ahead of approaching new tropical cyclone. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including its Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū, will temporarily close by 5 p.m. today (Aug. 21) ahead of a new storm system that could again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Aug. 22. The park remains without power, internet or phone service. Big Island Now.
Recovery efforts continue at Ka‘u schools. The state Department of Education continues recovery and planning efforts for Na‘alehu Elementary School and Ka‘u High &Pahala Elementary School following “significant impacts” from Hurricane Lala. The schools remain temporarily closed to students and staff. Tribune-Herald.
Multi-agency effort underway to recover and protect burials displaced by Lala. Hawaii County officials on Thursday said they are coordinating with experts and cultural practitioners to ensure the proper recovery and protection of burials displaced by flooding from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.
Maui
Emergency Wi-Fi available for Hana residents. Three local organizations have pooled their resources to set up a free Wi-Fi network to help East Maui residents maintain access to internet connectivity, communication and online resources following Tropical Storm Lala. Maui News.
Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed, Kīpahulu District reopens after Lala. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed through the weekend for storm recovery, including road clearing and facility restoration. It will reopen once conditions are safe. Maui Now.
Kauai
Post-Lala recovery drives bring urgent call for blood, food donations on Kauaʻi. In the wake of Hurricane Lala, Kauaʻi residents are urged to bolster community resilience by donating blood and supporting the annual Food Drive Day. Kauai Now.
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