Senator Lorraine Inouye

09/24/2026

NOLO EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE

9-24-2026 5AM UPDATE * KEY POINTS
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/HFOTCDCP2+shtml/241450.shtml?

1. Nolo is expected to strengthen into a hurricane today as it moves northward to north-northeastward, potentially making its closest approach to the Big Island of Hawaii as a major hurricane on Saturday. A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the Big Island, and residents there should follow advice given by local officials, including evacuating if told to do so. A Hurricane Warning will likely be required for the Big Island later today.

2. The time to finish preparations for significant heavy rain and flooding impacts on the Big Island is now as heavy rain increases in both coverage and intensity today and Friday. Periods of heavy rain are expected to continue across the Big Island and Maui through the weekend. Life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of steep terrain across the Big Island and Maui. Across the remainder of Hawaii, lesser rainfall totals are expected, with isolated flooding possible.

3. Large and damaging waves are possible along portions of the Big Island's coastline into the weekend.

4. Interests elsewhere in Hawaii should closely monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their preparedness plans in place. Tropical Storm Watches may be required for other islands later today or on Friday.

Check the links below for additional information:

NOAA Tropical Cyclones Central Pacific

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?cpac

HEMA - Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiEMA

https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/

09/19/2026

At former Governor George Ariyoshi's State Capitol Memorial. Governor Ariyoshi was the third elected Governor to the State of Hawaii and the first of Japanese descent in the U.S.A. He served three terns as governor from 1974 to 1986.

More information Hawaii Senate Democrats
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19aDkk3qiK/

More photos Honolulu Civil Beat
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/09/shootz-former-gov-george-ariyoshi-remembered-at-capitol-ceremony/

09/02/2026

Stay diligent follow the news while storms are in the area or approaching Hawaii. Today there are three tropical cyclones of various intensities near or approaching Hawaii.

08/31/2026

Be aware that the hurricane season is still upon us. Two storms are slowly approaching the area near Hawaii. Tropical Storm Lowell is predicted to intensify into a Hurricane but is projected to pass south of Hawaii. Projected paths can change so it is a good idea to monitor the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center at this link: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Tropical Storm Lowell and Hurricane Karina are currently within the region approaching Hawaii.

08/19/2026

𝗗𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗟𝗔

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2026

https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/dhs-announces-snap-replacement-benefits-for-current-recipients-affected-by-tropical-cyclone-lala/

Form:https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Application-for-Replacement-of-Food.pdf

NEWS RELEASE

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) is announcing an important update regarding the replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following severe weather, flooding and power outages associated with Tropical Cyclone Lala.

This assistance is for current SNAP recipients who experienced food loss due to household misfortune, such as extended power outages (over four hours or longer) or flooding across the state.

SNAP replacement benefits allow eligible households to be reimbursed for food, purchased with SNAP benefits, that was destroyed. The replacement amount will be based on the value of food lost, not to exceed the total monthly SNAP benefit issued to the household.

Governor Josh Green emphasized the importance of supporting families recovering from Tropical Cyclone Lala. “Mahalo to everyone across Hawaiʻi who is working to recover from the impacts of this disaster. Our priority is ensuring that families have access to essential resources as they rebuild, including the ability to replace food that was lost during severe weather and prolonged power outages. These SNAP replacement benefits are an important step in supporting community resilience and helping households get back on their feet.”

DHS Director Joseph Campos II added, “We know that many SNAP households experienced and are continuing to experience significant hardship because of Tropical Cyclone Lala. DHS is committed to making the replacement process as straightforward as possible. By providing timely reimbursement for food that was destroyed, we aim to reduce stress on families and make sure they can continue to meet their nutritional needs as recovery efforts continue statewide.”

DHS is currently accepting applications for SNAP replacement benefits from SNAP households statewide.

To qualify, SNAP recipients must submit a signed, written statement reporting the food loss within 10 days of the incident. The statement must include:

The name of the SNAP participant

Date of food loss (please provide a specific date; not a range)

Estimated value of food lost (please provide a specific dollar amount; not a range)

A description of what occurred and when

Contact information for the participant

A sample written statement is available on the DHS website; however, recipients may submit their own written statement and are not required to use the sample form.

Written statements may be submitted to any DHS Processing Center statewide. Once received, submissions will be reviewed and validated. Approved applicants will receive replacement benefits following the review process.

For more information, participants are encouraged to visit the DHS website or call the Statewide Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.

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08/18/2026

County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply Notice. Please read the graphic below. Click on the graphic below to read the details.

August 17, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY UPDATE

AFFECTED AREA: ALL DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY CUSTOMERS

This is a Department of Water Supply (DWS) update for Monday, August 17, 2026.

The impacts of Hurricane Lala have caused power outages at DWS’ facilities islandwide, which are causing water outages in various locations of the island. Multiple DWS pumping facilities are operating on emergency generator power and thus, DWS continues to ask customers to use water for Essential Uses only. DWS is working closely with Hawaiian Electric to prioritize the restoration of power to DWS’ facilities. Until power can be restored and DWS can operate its equipment normally, certain DWS water systems will continue to have no water or low water pressures. DWS has deployed potable water tankers to the following locations for customers use. Please limit usage to your individual household essential needs only.

Papaikou:
• Parking area behind Papaikou Community Center

Pepeekeo:
• Parking area next to Kulaimano Community Center

North Kohala:
• Bottom of Makapala Road.

Naalehu:
• Parking area across from Ace Hardware

A map of DWS’ permanent water spigots can be found at www.hawaiidws.org under the Community drop down menu.

Please call DWS at (808) 961-8790 for water-related emergencies.

MAHALO!

This is your Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply.

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08/18/2026

A message update from 2nd District Congressional Representative Jill Tokuda regarding self reporting of Hurricane Lala impacts.

08/17/2026

Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is asks people who are impacted by Hurricane Lala to report their damages to the Disaster Recovery website.

Disaster Recovery Quick Links If you have a life-safety emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you need immediate assistance - such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter - due to impacts from an incident, please complete a Request for Assistance or call Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency at (808...

08/17/2026

The online website BIG ISLAND NOW has extensive information on what is closed and opened on Hawaii Island as a result of Hurricane Lala.

All public schools, state and county offices, parks, courts and more are closed Monday on the Big Island.

08/17/2026

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶ʻ𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗘) 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴. 𝟭𝟳.

Following assessments of school campuses and surrounding community conditions, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) will keep public schools and offices closed statewide on Monday, Aug. 17.

The additional closure will allow time to complete campus safety assessments, restore utilities where necessary and address storm-related impacts.

The Department will continue working with county and state partners and will provide updates regarding Tuesday's operations as additional information becomes available.

Previously announced extended closures on Hawai‘i Island for Nā‘ālehu Elementary and Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School remain in effect.

Read more at: https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-hawaii-island-public-schools-open-friday/