State braces for incoming storm as Lala cleanup continues on Hawaii Island

Key Points:

• Tropical Depression Two-C, expected to become Tropical Storm Moke, may bring 10 to 15 inches of rain to southeast Hawaiʻi Island and East Maui from Saturday night through Monday morning, prompting immediate preparation warnings due to already saturated ground from Hurricane Lala.
• Hurricane Lala caused severe damage on Hawaiʻi Island, including mud and debris burying homes in Naʻalehu, destruction of numerous houses, parks, and an elementary school; officials are considering a temporary recovery village for displaced residents.
• Over 60 remains were recovered from flood-inundated cemeteries in the Kaʻū District by a National Guard team, which is also conducting wellness checks and door-to-door searches to locate missing persons.
• Power restoration is ongoing with about 13,380 customers still without power statewide; the state plans a long-term energy grid overhaul, including microgrids in remote areas, to prevent future outages.
• Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and other philanthropists have contributed millions to recovery efforts, with funds directed to immediate needs such as food replacement and generator fuel; nonprofits can apply for financial support through a new statewide philanthropy network.