Hawaii resumes Lala recovery after Moke passes south
Moke brought Hawaii a second tropical scare in one week, but crews can again focus on restoring power and repairing damage left by Hurricane Lala.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remained closed on Aug. 23 amid the potential for an eruption, while a tropical storm passed near the islands. Storm chaser Aaron Rigsby was there to document the scene.
Hawaii’s second tropical threat in a week passed south of the islands after bringing additional rain and gusty winds to communities still recovering from Hurricane Lala.
Moke weakened to a tropical depression Sunday as it moved west, hundreds of miles south of Hawaii. The system did not deliver the destructive repeat of Lala that residents and emergency officials had feared, although its approach temporarily threatened to slow repairs and worsen flooding in areas where the ground remained saturated.
Tropical Storm Moke seen on NOAA satellite imagery nearing Hawaii on Aug. 22, 2026. (Image credit: NOAA)
Moke's threat came less than a week after Lala unleashed catastrophic flooding and damaging winds across Hawaii Island, leaving washed-out roads, damaged bridges and widespread electric infrastructure damage. More than 100 homes were swept away, and rainfall topped 43 inches in Laupahoehoe.
Ahead of Moke, residents in flood prone areas, especially those impacted by Hurricane Lala, were advised to prepare for possible additional flood impacts and consider relocating before Moke's biggest impacts begin.
Shoppers gather supplies on the Big Island ahead of Tropical Storm Moke, on Aug. 22, 2026. (Image credit: Aaron Rigsby)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed on Friday ahead of the new storm, expected to bring torrential rainfall and high winds. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists are predicting the next eruptive episode of the Kilauea volcano could start as soon as Monday, but the park might be closed throughout the eruption due to "extreme conditions not suitable for viewing." HVO remains without power since Hurricane Lala but is continuing to monitor volcanic and seismic activity using backup power systems.
"The park is still without power, internet or phone lines as the community, and many park employees, volunteers and partners, recover from the devastating impacts of last weekend’s Hurricane Lala," the National Park Service wrote on Friday.
An aerial view of mudslides and debris flows near Naalehu, Hawaii after Hurricane Lala taken on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Image credit: Hawaii gov. Josh Green)
Utility crews can now refocus on the extensive damage left by Lala. Hawaiian Electric restored power to approximately 3,200 Hawaii Island customers between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, leaving about 6,460 customers without electricity.
The longest recovery is expected in the hard-hit Ka'u District, where some customers may not have power restored until Sept. 8. Hurricane Lala caused catastrophic flood and infrastructure damage across the sprawling southern district, including washed-out bridges and blocked roads.
Bent power lines and poles on the Big Island left over from Hurricane Lala ahead of Tropical Storm Moke, on Aug. 22, 2026. (Image credit: Aaron Rigsby)
Ka‘u was among the communities devastated by Lala’s flooding. AccuWeather Storm Chaser Aaron Rigsby reported from Naalehu, where buildings were swept from their foundations, enormous boulders were carried through town and communications were cut off.
Moke could complicate those recovery efforts even if its strongest winds remain offshore. The ground remains saturated in parts of the Big Island after Lala, making top-heavy trees more vulnerable to falling and potentially causing new outages or blocking roads crews need to reach damaged infrastructure.
Stay with AccuWeather.com and the AccuWeather app for updates on Moke’s impacts and Hawaii’s recovery.
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