Hurricane Lala recovery efforts moved into a new phase this week as Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green announced that every public school, along with all county and state offices on Hawaiʻi Island, would stay shut on Tuesday. Speaking at a Hilo news conference Monday afternoon, the governor explained that widespread power failures and blocked roadways made the decision necessary. Keeping campuses and offices empty gives public works teams and utility crews room to clear debris and rebuild damaged lines without traffic slowing them down.

Here is a clear look at where things stand across the island.

Power Restoration Is Slow but Steady

Hawaiian Electric reported in a late afternoon update that progress is being made, though the work remains enormous. Roughly 103,980 households and businesses across the state were still in the dark as of 2:30 p.m. Aug. 17, with Oʻahu residents asked to reduce electricity use into the evening.

On the Big Island alone, close to 39,730 customers had no power at that same hour — an increase of about 1,460 compared with the morning count. Puna, North and South Kona, North and South Kohala, Hāmākua and South Hilo have been hit hardest.

Helicopters are surveying six transmission lines circling the island while ground crews finish repairs. Three major transmission lines had already been fixed earlier in the day, and assessment teams were sent into Puna and Kona Mauka. Vegetation crews are busy cutting away fallen trees and limbs draped over the lines.

Reinforcements are on the way. Engineers from Oʻahu were scheduled to fly in Tuesday, and roughly 100 additional workers from mainland utility partners are expected to arrive around the same time and start work Wednesday. Even so, families in badly damaged rural pockets should brace for outages lasting several more days.

Anyone who spots a downed line should treat it as live and call the Big Island Trouble Line at 1-855-304-9191. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. Outage details are posted on the Hawaiian Electric website, its mobile app and its social media pages, and customers can sign up for outage alerts online.

Schools Face Extended Closures

All Department of Education campuses and public charter schools statewide will remain closed as safety inspections continue, utilities are restored and storm damage is cleared.

Two South Hawaiʻi campuses face longer disruptions:

• Nāʻālehu Elementary will stay closed to students and staff through Thursday, Aug. 20, because of building damage and road closures that make safe travel impossible.
• Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary may also remain shut while officials evaluate campus conditions and road access.

Individual schools will contact families directly about reopening dates and learning plans.

At the college level, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College were still weighing their options Sunday evening. UH Hilo dorms stayed open with Residence Life staff on site, though occupancy is light since move-in week has not yet begun.

Libraries, Courts and Government Offices

Every Hawaiʻi Island branch of the state library system stayed closed Aug. 18. Reopening dates will vary from branch to branch, since some buildings are still dealing with outages, toppled trees and blocked entrances. Patrons should check their local branch schedule and the library system website often.

Third Circuit Court facilities on Hawaiʻi Island also remained closed, while courts elsewhere in the state returned to normal operations. Every hearing and trial set for Tuesday on the island will be rescheduled, and a court order pushed Tuesday filing deadlines back to Aug. 19. Case updates are available through the Judiciary website and the eCourt Kokua system.

Water, Waste and Shelter Services

An essential-needs-only water notice remains active for all Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply customers, a direct consequence of outages affecting pumps and treatment equipment islandwide. Essential use means drinking, cooking and personal hygiene only. Some neighborhoods will keep experiencing low pressure or no water until electricity returns.

Water tankers have been stationed at four locations: behind Pāpaʻikou Community Center, beside Kulaʻimano Community Center in Pepeʻekeo, at the bottom of Makapala Road in North Kohala, and across from Ace Hardware in Nāʻālehu. A map of permanent spigots is posted under the Community menu at hawaiidws.org. Call 808-961-8790 for water emergencies.

Transfer stations and landfills followed their usual Monday schedules, except in Pāhala, Waiʻōhinu and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, which remain unreachable. Waimea, Kealakehe and Keauhou sites are accepting green waste every day this week to speed cleanup.

Most shelters have closed, with two exceptions serving the hardest-hit communities: Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala and the Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym. All Hele-On bus routes stayed cancelled except Paratransit services.

Residents needing help or reporting property damage can use the Civil Defense assistance portal on the County of Hawaiʻi website or call 808-935-0031.

Health Warning: Stay Out of Brown Water

The Department of Health issued a brown water advisory covering the entire island. Runoff after heavy rain carries elevated pollutant levels, so swimmers should avoid affected ocean areas for 48 to 72 hours after rainfall ends and sunshine returns. Officials also warn against swimming, wading or drinking from streams and ponds because of leptospirosis risk. The rule is simple — if the water looks brown, stay out.

Travel, Parks and Visitor Guidance

Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport resumed operations Sunday morning after runway and terminal inspections. Travelers should confirm flight status with their airline and allow extra time for check-in and screening.

Commercial harbors at Hilo and Kawaihae are running normally. Supply Chain Hawaiʻi Executive Director Melissa Pavlicek confirmed that Matson, Pasha Hawaiʻi and Young Brothers restarted cargo operations, noting several vessels waited offshore during the storm so deliveries could resume the moment conditions cleared.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains largely closed without power, though rangers are offering visitor information from the Kīlauea Military Camp lobby. Crater Rim Drive West has reopened to Uēkahuna, but Mauna Loa summit, Red Hill, Kīpukapuaulu, Nāhuku lava tube, Chain of Craters Road, the Kahuku Unit and all campgrounds and trails stay off limits. Registered lodging guests must shelter in place.

All state parks, forestry and wildlife lands on the island are closed, and camping permits statewide were suspended with refunds issued. Hotels continue welcoming guests, and visitors can get round-the-clock updates at gohawaii.com/lala or by calling 1-800-GOHAWAII.