HONOLULU — In response to the impacts of Hurricane Lala and to support ongoing response and recovery operations across Hawaiʻi, Governor Josh Green and the mayors of all four counties have made the coordinated decision to close State and county government offices and public schools on Monday, August 17, 2026. The statewide closure will allow emergency response, recovery, and restoration efforts to continue while communities across Hawaiʻi recover from the storm.
As part of that statewide action, Mayor Rick Blangiardi has ordered the closure of all non-essential City and County of Honolulu offices and services on Monday. All disaster response and disaster recovery personnel, as well as all employees designated by their departments and agencies, must report to work as directed. All other City and County of Honolulu employees will be granted administrative leave.
“While the storm has passed, our work is not finished,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “Our first responders, emergency personnel and City crews have worked tirelessly throughout this storm, and Monday will be an important day for assessing damage, clearing roads and debris, restoring services and helping our communities recover. This coordinated decision by the Governor and county mayors will allow us to keep our resources focused on that work while keeping unnecessary traffic off our roads and giving our communities time to recover.”
City crews will continue working throughout Sunday night and Monday to assess storm damage, remove fallen trees and debris, address flooding and drainage issues, reopen roadways and facilities, and respond to other storm-related hazards.
Power and communications disruptions also remain widespread across Oʻahu. As of Sunday afternoon, Hawaiian Electric is reporting 453 outages affecting approximately 113,000 customers. Cellular service disruptions are also being reported in parts of the island, and residents may experience intermittent calls, text messages, and data service.
City facilities and services Monday
The following City facilities and services will be closed Monday, August 17:
• All public park facilities
• Honolulu Zoo
• Municipal golf courses
• City botanical gardens
• Satellite City Halls
• Driver Licensing Centers
Other non-essential City offices, facilities, programs and services will also be closed or suspended on Monday.
Essential services and transportation will continue:
• Refuse: Residential refuse will be collected as scheduled. Transfer stations, refuse convenience centers, H-POWER and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill will be open.
• Public transportation: TheBus, Skyline and TheHandi-Van will operate on their normal schedules. Riders should allow additional travel time as localized road closures, detours or delays may continue.
• Public safety: Police, fire, emergency medical services, Ocean Safety and other critical response and recovery functions will continue without interruption.
Residents are urged to continue exercising caution, particularly around flooded areas, fallen trees, downed power lines, debris and damaged infrastructure. Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel in impacted areas, obey all road closures and barricades, and give first responders, utility workers and City crews room to work.
The City anticipates resuming normal government operations on Tuesday, August 18.
What Residents Need To Do
If there are any hazards – downed poles, trees, blocked roads, clogged drains, etc. – call the City Call Center at (808) 723-8960.
If you were impacted by the storm, the City is asking all affected residents to fill out the online damage assessment form. The purpose of this form is only to collect information that will help local officials understand the damage that occurred and impacts on the community. The City will also use this information to determine whether the City can request federal assistance programs.
Tropical Storm Lala was a reminder that everyone should prepare since August and September have historically been the most active months in which tropical cyclones form:
- Create a plan and know what to pack and/or ensure is safe in the event of a major disaster. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has published a list of resources that can help you plan according to your personal situation.
- The Department of Emergency Management recommends having a two-week emergency supply kit as well as a ‘Go-Bag’ in the event you have to evacuate. If you know of any vulnerable family, friends, or neighbors – consider helping them to prepare as they will have additional, specific, needs that need to be considered prior to, during, and after a major disaster.
- Determine how you can harden your home and if you should shelter in place. This is a link to the Homeowner’s Handbook that is published by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program. Page 59 is a chart that summarizes whether or not – based on the date of and type of construction – you should shelter in place. The book can be downloaded and is a very good reference for disaster preparedness planning. If you do need to evacuate, determine if you have a friend or family member whose home can be a shelter. If there is no safe option, please watch the news and/or check the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) website to find out which evacuation shelters will be open in your area and if its pet friendly.
- Understand what to do in the event you hear the emergency siren. Here is a link to the Emergency Siren reference page – which contains the locations of all sirens. When you hear the siren, turn on the radio or local television and listen for more instructions should it sound due to an emergency. Sign up for HNL Alert to receive custom notifications.
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