Hurricane Lala – August 2026
Hurricane Lala Disaster Relief Updates
The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division activated its Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams statewide as Hurricane Lala brushed past Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, August 15, then moved past Maui and Oʻahu as a tropical storm on Sunday, August 16. At the height of the storm, roughly half the state lost power, and The Salvation Army EDS teams shifted quickly to feeding families and vulnerable residents who went without electricity in the 1–2 weeks that followed.
Teams remain active across the islands, with support concentrated in the hardest-hit Kaʻū district and Hāmākua Coast, and continue supporting impacted communities as long-term recovery work gets underway.
Our Response, By the Numbers
Every dollar donated has gone directly to serving the people of Hawaiʻi. Here is what we have accomplished together:
Relief efforts August 14 to September 1, 2026
Meals and food boxes provided
Hours served by officers, staff, and volunteers
Financial assistance distributed
Individuals assisted on Hawaiʻi Island
Photos from the Field
The Kroc Center Hawaiʻi team prepares meals for delivery to veterans at a Kapolei housing complex left without power in the week following the storm.
As soon as the weather cleared, Rainbow Helicopters donated a flight to airlift industrial cleaning kits from Honolulu to Hawaiʻi Island.
On O’ahu we served nearly 600 people through drive-by community dinners in Mā’ili and Lā’ie who were without power the days after the storm.
Mahalo to Hilo Walmart and Kona Walmart for food donations that were distributed to people in need across Hawaiʻi Island.
Honoka’a volunteers Kamu and Sabrina pack food bags to share with community members going on four days without electricity.
On the way to the heavily flooded areas in Kaʻū, our teams stop to provide food and drinks to the Hawaiʻi County Public Works crew.
Volunteers help reassemble the Overnight Safe Space shelter at Hilo Corps following the hurricane.
Our Hawaiʻi Island team graciously accepted the donation of a Starlink unit from Hilo Walmart to aid in disaster communications.
Captain Steve Howard delivers donated L&L meals to the Nāʻālehu shelter.
Volunteer meal delivery to Hawaiʻi County Public Works team members working on infrastructure recovery.
Captain Felicia LeMar and Hilo Corps Advisory Board chair Grant Omura deliver meals to first responders.
Lt. Nalo Faasavalu deployed to Hawaiʻi Island from Kauaʻi to provide extra support as the needs for meals grew across the island.
The Salvation Army in the News
August 28 — Salvation Army feeds hundreds left without power after Hurricane Lala (Hawaii News Now)
The Salvation Army is providing daily meals to 220 kūpuna and veteran residents of Hilo’s Waiakea Villas who remain without power nearly two weeks after the storm, part of more than 5,000 meals and food boxes served statewide since Lala hit.
August 27 — Helicopters drop critical supplies for rural families in Kaʻu after access cut off (KITV)
KITV featured video of Rainbow Helicopters’ first airlift for The Salvation Army, part of a broader effort by Honolulu-based helicopter companies delivering food, water, and medication to nearly 20 homes and about 125 residents cut off in remote Kaʻū after bridges collapsed.
The Salvation Army detailed a week of expanded feeding operations across Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island — more than 3,600 meals served at distribution hubs and shelters, 700 home-delivered, and ongoing support for first responders, kūpuna, and communities along the Hāmākua Coast.
August 17 — Salvation Army mobilizes meal services on Big Island (Big Island Now)
The Salvation Army detailed its plan to serve county-run shelters across Hawaiʻi Island, navigating washed-out roads and widespread power outages in partnership with Hawaiʻi County, The Food Basket, World Central Kitchen, and other local partners.
August 15 — Live look: Hilo wind, rain, waves intensify (Hawaii News Now)
Hawaii News Now Sunrise visited a storm shelter in Hilo as heavy rain moved in and flash flooding remained a top concern, speaking with The Salvation Army about preparations for what officials are calling “a very serious storm.”
We Can’t Do This Without You
100% of donations to The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services provide meals, essential supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to neighbors in need.
With more storms on the way, your support matters now more than ever.
Donate Now