10 a.m. Aug. 18/FINAL update: City resumes normal operations as Lala recovery continues
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is resuming normal operations Tuesday, Aug. 18, as cleanup and recovery efforts continue across Oʻahu following Tropical Storm Lala.
Cleanup and restoration efforts
City crews will continue clearing fallen trees and debris, repairing damaged traffic signals, assessing roads and public facilities, and responding to other storm-related impacts on Tuesday. While significant progress has been made, residents and visitors should continue to use caution.
Motorists approaching intersections where traffic signals remain out should treat them as four-way stops, slow down, and proceed with caution.
As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Hawaiian Electric is reporting 568 outages affecting approximately 16,931 customers across Oʻahu.
Cellular service also remains intermittent in some areas, and residents may continue to experience disruptions to calls, text messages and data service.
The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is experiencing low to no water pressure in the upper areas of the Metropolitan Honolulu water system due to the prolonged power issues that O’ahu is undergoing. This includes the ridges from Alewa Heights running east to and including Kalama Valley. Residents on upper mountain ridges of the Ko’olau Mountains in metro Honolulu may encounter low to no water pressure. The BWS is working with HECO and other city agencies to address this issue.
While restoration work is continuing, the BWS is making available several locations in affected areas where residents can bring containers and fill up, including:
• 1522 Laukahi Street
• 420 Puʻuikena Street
• 1367 ʻĀina Koa Avenue
• 688 Kuakini Street (near Lanakilia Elementary School)
Meanwhile, the Honolulu Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services are urging the public to avoid hiking in hazardous post-storm conditions, including swollen streams, muddy trails, and unstable terrain. Residents and visitors are reminded that dangerous trail and stream conditions can persist for days after heavy rain.
Storm damage assessment
The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will begin conducting residential damage assessments today. More than two dozen DPP inspectors will visit affected properties to document storm-related damage and help determine the extent of impacts to residential structures. Residents may see DPP inspectors in neighborhoods and around damaged properties throughout this week. If residents are unsure whether someone is an authorized DPP inspector, they should ask to see the inspector’s official identification badge.
These assessments are a critical part of the disaster recovery process. Information collected through damage assessments will help determine the scope and severity of the disaster and supports efforts to seek federal disaster assistance, including potential funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Property owners who experienced storm-related damage are encouraged to report it through the City’s damage assessment form at www.honolulu.gov/homedamage.
The reports will help the City determine the extent and location of storm damage across Oʻahu and support broader damage assessment efforts. Submitting the form is not an application for disaster assistance, relief, or emergency funding.
City Operations
City offices, facilities, and services will return to normal operations Tuesday, including:
- Parks and recreation: City parks and gardens are reopening under semi-regular service. Staff is continuing to address storm impacts. Some parks are still without power and have sustained other damage. As a result, some park facilities, such as impacted bathrooms and soggy fields, will remain closed. Communication with some staff will also be difficult.
- Municipal golf courses: All six City municipal golf courses will today.
- Honolulu Zoo: The Honolulu Zoo will reopen today.
- Satellite City Halls and Driver Licensing Centers: Locations will reopen and resume normal operations.
- Public transportation: TheBus, Skyline and TheHandi-Van will operate on their normal schedules. Riders should remain aware that localized road conditions could result in detours or delays. The Transit Pass Office on Middle Street is also back open.
- Refuse: Convenience centers, transfer stations and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill are open and operating normally.
If your refuse, recycling, or green compost cart was damaged during the storm, contact the Department of Environmental Services at (808) 768-3200 or collection@honolulu.gov to request a repair or replacement. Please include your address and a description of the damage.
- Public safety: Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Ocean Safety and other critical City services will continue normal operations.
City Call Center
The City’s informational call center is open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through Thursday for non-emergency storm-related information. Residents and visitors may call 808-723-8960 for information and assistance related to ongoing recovery operations and City services.
Anyone needing immediate emergency assistance should call 911. This will be the final daily update regarding Tropical Storm Lala. You can still sign up for customized HNL Alert notifications at HNLAlert.gov or text HNLALERT to 888777 to receive urgent emergency notifications.
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