Updated at noon on Aug. 18.
Efforts continue on the Big Island to cleanup and recover from Hurricane Lala that struck Saturday into Sunday, and left lots of damage and debris in its wake.
Here is what else you need to know on the Big Island.
Crews work to clear huge trees that have fallen on Highway 11 near the Piʻikea Bridge north of Pahala on Aug. 16, 2026. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now)
Public schools
All Hawaiʻi State Department of Education schools and public charter schools will be closed Tuesday.
The additional closure will allow time to complete campus safety assessments, restore utilities where necessary and address storm-related impacts, the state said in a news release.
Nāʻālehu Elementary School will remain closed to students and staff through Thursday, Aug. 20, because of storm-related damage and road closures affecting safe access. Families will receive updates directly from their schools regarding instructional plans and reopening timelines. Public schools statewide are already closed Friday in observance of Statehood Day.
Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School may be closed longer. The department continues to assess campus conditions and roadway accessibility.
Konawaena High School and all other Hawaiʻi Island public schools will be closed Monday. (Video screenshot: Hawai‘i Department of Education)
Public libraries
All Hawai’i Island branches of Hawaiʻi State Public Library System will remain closed Aug. 18.
The state is working to reopen libraries following the impacts of Hurricane Lala, with the safety of patrons and staff as the top priority.
Patrons are encouraged to check the schedule at their local library and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System website regularly for the latest updates as conditions change.
Courts
Court and Judiciary facilities in 3rd Circuit Court on Hawaiʻi Island will remain closed Aug. 18; however, all other courts and Judiciary facilities statewide will reopen.
All hearings and trials scheduled Tuesday on Hawaiʻi Island will be rescheduled.
In addition, by court order, the deadline for all court filings due Tuesday on Hawaiʻi Island will be extended until Aug. 19.
The public is encouraged to visit the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary website for updates and information regarding court operations. As always, parties also can monitor the state’s online public case information system eCourt Kokua for the most current information regarding hearings, trials and case activity.
Brown water advisory
Hawaiʻi Department of Health has issued a brown water advisory for the Big Island. After storms or heavy rain, the water may contain higher than normal pollutant levels. The Department recommends staying out of these affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.
The Department of Health advises the public to avoid swimming, wading in, or drinking water from any freshwater streams or pond to prevent leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by the leptospira bacteria.
If the water is brown, turn around. For more information and updates, click here.
County water service
Effective immediately and until further notice, an essential needs only notice remains in effect for all Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply customers because of adverse impacts from Hurricane Lala, including power outages, islandwide.
Essential needs are for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene only.
Potable water tankers were deployed for customer use at the following locations:
Pāpaʻikou: Parking area behind Pāpaʻikou Community Center.
Pepe‘ekeo: Parking area next to Kulaʻimano Community Center.
North Kohala: Bottom of Makapala Road.
Nāʻālehu: Parking area across from Ace Hardware.
A map of permanent water spigots can be found at the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply website under the “Community” drop down menu.
Call 808-961-8790 for emergencies.
Utility lines are down along Highway 11 from Mountain View to Volcano in the aftermath of Hurricane Lala on Aug. 16, 2026. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now)
Hawaiian Electric
About 27,700 customers on the Big Island remained without power as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, according Hawaiian Electric.
The utility said about 10,750 customers had their power restored overnight.
Most of the outages are in the Puna area, North and South Kona, North and South Kohala, Hamakua and South Hilo.
Assessments have found extensive damage to poles on lines serving North and South Kohala. Access to Upper Puna is being hindered by vegetation in and around Hawaiian Electric lines. Tree trimmers have been called in to cut back trees and other vegetation impacted by the storm.
There were 21 transmission or subtransmission lines affected by the storm. Now, 11 have been repaired.
Customers can call Hawaiian Electric’s Big Island Trouble Line at 1-855-304-9191 to report any downed power lines, which should always be treated as energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
The company is experiencing a high volume of calls at its customer center. Information about outages is available at the Hawaiian Electric website, the Hawaiian Electric mobile app (available on the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices or its social media accounts.
Customers also can sign up to receive emergency outage alerts.
Spectrum services
Spectrum is assessing damage to its network from Hurricane Lala. Service interruptions are largely aligned with power outages impacting the area.
Power needs to be restored first before the company will be able to start making repairs. Spectrum already started to make necessary repairs wherever access is available, and it is safe for employees.
Nearly 3,000 Spectrum Wi-Fi access points are open throughout the state to help community members stay connected. Some access points could be offline until power is restored. Click here to learn more about the access points and get additional information.
To report damage or need help?
If you sustained damage or, if you and your household are in need of help, as a result of Hurricane Lala, Civil Defense has a damage report and a Request for Assistance reporting portal on the County of Hawaii website or call Civil Defense at 808-935-0031
Residents in need of immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter — from a coalition of nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies can complete a request for assistance form.
Click here to request other assistance.
Transfer stations and landfills
County transfer stations and landfills are open, except those in Pāhala, Wai‘ōhinu and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, which are inaccessible.
To assist cleanup efforts, transfer stations in Waimea, Kealakehe and Keauhou are accepting green waste daily this week.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closures
Nāhuku lava tube and other parts of the Hawaiian Volcano National Park will be closed, starting noon on Aug. 14 in preparation for Tropical Storm Lala. (File photo)
On Monday, Park rangers reopened Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. The restrooms at Uēkahuna are not working.
The Welcome Center and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association are now open but expect limited hours.
Visitors should expect very limited services. The park still has no power, phones, or internet.
Crater Rim Trail West and Steam Vents are open, but Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and all other areas in the park remain closed due to downed trees and other hazards. Park rangers and staff are continuing to assess trails, roads and other park destinations that will reopen when they are deemed safe.
Visitors are advised to take their safety seriously. Although the hurricane has passed, hazards remain in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including falling trees, unstable slopes, flooding, debris and damaged roads and facilities. Stay alert, heed all closures and posted warnings, and do not enter areas that appear unsafe.
Park campgrounds and the backcountry remain closed. Volcano Art Center Gallery is closed.
Kīlauea Military Camp is offering limited services to authorized patrons. Volcano House is closed to the public, but open to registered guests.
Check the park website, www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes and official social media for additional updates.
County closures and facility impacts
All county Park and Recreational facilities and beach parks will be closed and all facility usage permits are canceled.
All county offices are closed.
Online resources
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College will remain closed through Aug. 18.
Student Housing Move-In Day at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo will, however, proceed as scheduled. Students and families should follow their assigned arrival times and previously provided instructions.
Only employees needed for essential operations at the Hilo campus and Hawaiʻi Community College as well as for Move-In Day should report to campus.
All other buildings and offices will be closed at both campuses. In-person events, activities, programs and scheduled gatherings also are canceled.
All other employees should not report to either campus and contact their supervisors with questions regarding work status.
Staff and students should continue to monitor their University of Hawaiʻi email and UH RAVE alerts for updates.
Road closures
For an updated list of road closures, visit the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Map: Hazard Impact Map.
Banks
All Bank of Hawai‘i’s Hawai‘i Island branches have reopened except for the Kā‘u Branch.