Hawaii News Now at 9 p.m. (August 14, 2026)

Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us, and let's go Bose. This is Hawaii News Now at 9. And right now at night, we're tracking your top stories across the islands. As Lala strengthens into a Category 1 Hurricane Pahol, residents are worried about damage from falling obesia trees. Also ahead, Hawaii County refuge shelters start to fill up moments after they open their doors to those in need this evening. And Maui residents take action to protect their properties and stock up on sandbags and supplies. But we begin tonight with a live look at Hilo Bay and it's pretty dark out and hard to see the weather conditions, but the winds have been picking up and we've been seeing rain in the area. The Big Island is under a hurricane warning and the outer bands of Lala are stretching across the island. And a live look at the satellite and you can see just how close. Lala is to Hawaii Island as it strengthens it's still on track to become a category one hurricane. We have team coverage tonight of the approaching storm, and we begin with our first alert chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins for the latest storm track and timeline, Jen. And we're talking about very strong winds associated with the system as it comes through. That's something we're watching very carefully. On the radar, we have been seeing those outer bands reach. And at the center of the system, tropical storm force winds are 220 miles expanding from the center. And then it crosses over maybe as a category one hurricane when it makes landfall or at least very close by. And many of the weather models are pulling in that deep. tropical moisture sitting over the southeast side for several hours. We're talking about maybe 18 hours of very heavy rain, and it's going to take its time and hang out over the far eastern end of the state as it marches over the rest of the island chain. It's downgraded to a tropical storm according to this. But you see, even by the time we get to probably the second half of the weekend, look how expansive those winds are. These are tropical storm forest winds from the center of the system. as a tropical storm. I'll take a deeper look at the impacts coming up in a little bit. All right. Thank you so much, Jan. We continue our team coverage now with our Mahalani Richardson in Pajua, where people are especially worried about blocked roads and blackouts. Here in Pahoa, the rain has been light so far, off and on throughout the day. But I'm overlooking the Pahoa Community Center. County officials say they don't expect a large number of people to come here, but those who do have no place else to go. Now earlier today, we checked out a gas station in Pahua where people were filling up multiple cans of gas. They were starting to hunker down and put their supplies down. Residents are also tying things down. Now, people in this community remember tropical.

storm Yssel in 2014, which caused widespread damage in this area, especially from fallen albesia trees. It doesn't take much wind. You know, these albesias are really soft and they're brittle. The branches just fall and, you know, cause all kind of havocs. You live alone. Are you worried about being trapped in your neighborhood? Yes. I mean, I don't even have a vehicle, so just... Things do cross my mind. I stocked up on food, so I'm good with that, and I tied up my loose objects and things. The rain is not going to bother us. It's the wind that will get us in trouble. And again, we have our fingers crossed everybody out there. Hope everybody stays safe. The Pahoa resident Tisha Waitenko says she's got all of her supplies, but she's really worried that Government Beach Road is the only emergency route available for her community, especially with those albesia trees. During the Kona Lowe storm, she says her area was without power for two and a half days back in March, which she says was unacceptable and unexpected. We are already starting to see people arrive. One woman said she's going to stay here overnight because her old home just can't. take the water. Reporting live from Pahoa, Mahalini Richardson, Hawaii News Now. Thank you very much, Maheha. The Hawaii County shelters now open our Hisaoka Gym in North Kohala, Waikolo Elementary School, Kahilo Town Hall in Waimea, Honoka'A Armory, Honokkaa Armory, and Waia Kea Kea High in Hilo, also the Kea Armory Pohua Community Center, Pahala Gymnasium, Naalehu Elementary School, Yano Hall in Captain Cook, and Keahela Kehe High. You will need to bring your own food, personal, and sleeping supplies, and pets. are welcome but need to be in a kennel or crate. The Hilo International Airport meantime is still open, but several flights were canceled today. Hawaiian Airlines canceled all flights from 2 p.m. this afternoon and all day Saturday due to the approaching tropical storm. This afternoon it canceled six flights and suspended operations in Hilo tomorrow affecting a total of 23 flights. A flight between Kahului and Honolulu was also canceled. The news has been shown that there's more of a threat increasing, so I mean, we're just hoping we can get back. to our families, you know, and not be stuck here. It would be ideal. We're on standby for an earlier flight if possible. If we can, we will. But otherwise, we're in the afternoon flight, so it's potentially iffy. Sandbags were placed near the airport's check-in area. Southwest airline flights are still on, but two flights tomorrow morning at 6 and 8 o'clock are canceled. Make sure to check with your airline on your flight status first before you head to the airport.

And the county of Maui and American Red Cross opened three temporary evacuation points at 7 o'clock tonight. Maui's mayor is urging residents to get prepared now. Our Chelsea Davis spoke with residents who are heeding the warning. I'm in Kihei where it is very windy, windier than usual. I'm also out here because this area on South Kihei Road is prone to flooding. In fact, oftentimes when there is heavy rain, this area specifically will overflow and flood the nearby homes and businesses. A little farther down near the corner of Uwapo Road and South Kihei Road, I saw some people tying down their belongings. I saw parts of another business boarded up with some sandbags out front. And over in central Maui and Kahului, several people going to Costco to stock up on food and water and supplies. And there was a long line at the gas station. First thing I thought of, you know, the big Kihei road flood in front of Freds. They just fixed the road a couple days ago, reopened it. So I'm hoping. that handles the storm. Right now we are ready throughout the county, Maui Molokai Lanai. We have our personnel ready for working overtime. People, you know, standby crews. testing all of our generators and just making for making sure before there any storm comes that we're ready. So we're preparing right now. Over on the west side, Honu Oceanside on Front Street in Lahaina has set up flood barriers to protect their business, employees, and customers. Now I heard this at the gas station earlier today, and I want to share it with all of you. Sublin told me, don't be scared, be prepared. And I must say that is the overall feeling for men. many Maui County residents tonight. Reporting in Kihei, I'm Chelsea Davis for Hawaii News Now. Suffice it to say It's not just the amount of wind. It's the heavy rainfall. It's the flooding. It's the entirety of this storm, which gives us pause. Hawaii Governor Josh Green saying everyone should take this storm seriously, as Lala has a wider wind field, much larger than when Yssel took the same southerly approach, and its powerful winds caused widespread damage. 180 National Guard personnel had been activated in positions statewide, and Hawaii County Public Works provided 17 sandpiles for residents. make sandbags. Meanwhile, the city of Honolulu activated its emergency operations center and HPD's Joint Operations Center. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiarty says the city learned a lot from the disastrous Kono Lo storms and is better prepared ahead of Lala's arrival. Look, now is it time to prepare before conditions get worse.

We don't want to wait for things to deteriorate and have people overreact. And I would hope that everything that we went through several months ago with the Kono Lowe's has been a reality check for all of us. The city's opened a non-emergency call center for residents. Call 808-7238-960 to request or share any information. And there will also be eight hurricane refuge areas opening on Oahu starting at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. They will be at Todd Blanche Pope, Kahuku, and Nanakuli Elementary School. campuses and at Castle, Kapolet, Mililani, Moana Lua, and Roosevelt High Schools. Make sure to bring your own food, water, medications, and other essential items. All locations are pet-friendly. Meantime, in Kapolei, the Honolulu Fire Department is preparing for more than heavy rain. We definitely have an increased chance of wildfires, increased wind, a lot of vegetation, as you mentioned, makes it more likely that a fire can start and will spread quickly, especially in storm conditions. That's Captain Jacob Pakello. He says he's focusing on staffing levels and just making sure that first responders have enough equipment and he's urging families to prepare emergency kits ahead of the storm. It was a busy day for lifeguards. Honolulu Ocean Safety reports they conducted 95 rescues today and more than 4,400 preventative actions. All to keep beachgoers safe amid hazardous ocean conditions on south and east shores. Meanwhile, Coror continues to urge the homeless to leave the stream banks and seek shelter. We're up against the clock. Time is running out and it's up to us to get out here to ensure that our most vulnerable populations know that there is a storm coming. If the winds hit about 45 miles per hour sustained, For safety reasons, you might see the towers get shuttered or the flaps being closed. That does not mean that the lifeguards are off duty. It's an employee safety issue. Ocean safety has extended lifeguard hours and added jet skis ahead of the storm. Stay up to date on the forecast 24-7 by downloading our free Hawaii News Now Weather app. Scan the code that you see here or search for H&N weather in the app store. All the state's decision in a battle over water rights in East Maui, that's coming up next at 9. And the Maui doctor convicted of attempted manslaughter after attacking his wife wants a new trial. Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News now. Celebrate the home team with us, and let's go Bose. This is Hawaii News Now. New tonight at 9, the state land board has rejected the state proposal to block Maui County from taking over one of the island's biggest water systems. The unanimous vote came after eight hours of testimony from opponents of the state plan that would also have led to a 30-year water license to Mahipono, which farms more than 40,000 acres in central Maui. Maui Mayor Richard Bisson argued that the county should control the East Maui irrigation system, but instead,

The land department recommended auctioning long-term water leases to the county and to Mahipono. East Maui traditional farmers and cultural leaders, along with environmental groups, supported county control. But state land managers said they can protect traditional users and mixed land ownership makes county ownership impractical. The illegality going on with this board is just beyond belief and accountability has to happen today. This generation has an opportunity to make history move beyond corporate control. Mahipono, which is owned by a Canadian pension fund, says it needs a long-term guarantee of water, but environmentalists said there were legal flaws in the state proposal. that will lead to contested hearings and lawsuits have approved. The board sided with traditional users and environmentalists to reject the state proposal. The decision could lead to more serious discussions of county control, which Mayor Bissons said would still lead to plenty of water for Mahipono as a major player in Maui's agricultural economy. Also on Maui, legend Storer pleaded not guilty today to charges accusing him of murder, burglary, and indecent exposure. The 20-year-old was indicted by a grand jury for beating 63-year-old security guard Michael Dyer to death using a five-gallon water jug last Wednesday. Storer is being held without bail and is due back in court on Wednesday for a mental health evaluation request. A jurors who convicted a Maui doctor of trying to kill his wife on a pully trail, we'll have to return to court for questioning. That's after the defense claims they didn't follow the law. Our Annalisa Burgos has more. Can a juror's comments about a case after the trial taint the verdict? Gerhard Koenig's attorneys say they do and want a retrial. But the judge stopped short of ruling on that today and want to hear from the jurors themselves. We, the jury in this case, finds the defendant guilty of attempted manslaughter based upon extreme mental or emotional disturbance. Four months after a jury convicted Koenig of attempted manslaughter for attacking his then-wife Ariel, he was back in court fighting for a new trial. His attorney, Thomas Otake, argued jurors misunderstood or did not follow the court's instructions, claiming media statements made by two jurors show not everyone believed Koenig intended to kill his wife. Unanimous agreement is required in reaching their verdict of attempted manslaughter under extreme mental or emotional disturbance. I'm not faulting the jurors. I mean, they're human. They're trying their best, but mistakes happen. Otake also pointed to a social media video where an anonymous commenter claimed they were text messaging with a juror during deliberations. If true, it would constitute juror misconduct. Allowing the verdict to stand with clear evidence that it was reached in error.

and not taking this opportunity to correct it, you know, that would be a failure. Deputy prosecuting attorney, Joel Garner, argued the defense did not meet the bar for a new trial and questioned the integrity of their evidence. If you want to enter evidence, you need to lay a proper foundation. The evidence needs to be authenticated. He also noted it is illegal for courts to look into how jurors came up with their verdict. Any juror would be pressured knowing. that their verdict could be attacked, that their thought process in reaching their verdict is not secret. Judge Paul Wong said he needs more information and cited a state Supreme Court ruling requiring he investigate further. The court must ascertain the extent of the influence. So the burden is on me. I have to do what I really don't want to do. and bring in these jurors and ask whether or not they were tainted by outside influence. The next hearing is scheduled for September 11th. Reporting at Circuit Court and Lisa Burgles, Hawaii News Now. The state health department has confirmed Hawaii's fifth case of cyclosporiasis in another military member who traveled both internationally and to a state with reported cases. The DOH also reports a low-level detection of cyclospora at the Gila wastewater treatment plant, suggesting that someone in that area was carrying the bug. The outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce from Mexico has now spread to 47 states. Coming up next at nine, how are internet and cell phone providers gearing up for the storm? And the UH soccer match is rescheduled. When can you catch them in action? Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose. This is Hawaii News Now. Internet and phone providers across the state are preparing for the expected high winds. Hawaiian telecom says all this week they've been topping off gas tanks and generators. Verizon also just completed maintenance and have generators ready to go in the event of a power outage. So we've topped off gas tanks on our vehicles and our buildings that supply the internet and voice and video service. All of our cell sites are built. structurally to withstand hurricane force winds. All cell sites are engineered with 100% battery backup. So the minute that we lose power, they will stay online. Service providers urge customers to charge up devices and enable emergency alerts to receive the most up-to-date storm information. Well, the city has suspended overnight camping and permitted park activities beginning at six tomorrow until further notice. This is video of Division of Urban Forestry crews staging equipment today ahead of the storm. City parks and gardens will remain open tomorrow. Park and garden staff will reassess on Sunday.

And the big question, could this be a historic landfall as a hurricane? I'll take a deeper look at that coming up shortly. Aloha Warrior fans. The news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, U.H shows, athlete profiles and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose. First Alert Weather with Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Robbins. Lala is still a tropical storm, but on its way of becoming a hurricane, it's in an environment that will gain strength, but the speed may be slowing down as it nears the island. Taking a closer look at what's happening right now. We're in radar range. You can see the circulation there counterclockwise by the center of the system. And there's Hawaii Island, and that's where it has its eye set on. Into the next couple of hours, we're going to see that front right quadrant that could be impacting. especially the southeast shore into the next couple of hours. And take how look how massive the outer bounds are now, all the way to about 300 miles stretching on each side. So this is a large system. Some of the clouds that we're seeing ahead of it are thin clouds that get thicker and thicker with those towering cumulinebous clouds right at the center of the system. And that's where the center is going to bring on at the eye of the storm, the strongest of the winds, and also what we're seeing. right now is winds at higher elevations already really clocking in at powerful levels. Closer to sea level, anywhere from 10 to 20 miles per hour. But at times, we've been seeing sporadic gusts that have been very interesting. In fact, I just got a message from Guy Hoggy and he said, did you notice the observations from Mount Achaia? And I called the National Weather Service right now. And we did confirm that there's northeast winds on the summit at 98 miles per hour with Gus up to 110. miles per hour. So we're really starting to see these gusts pick up over higher elevations and that could act like funneling as the system comes through and a little bit closer. Let's take a closer look here. Stropco Storm Lala 200 miles east southeast of South Point. The winds at the center is 65 miles per hour. It's moving west, northwest at 13 miles per hour. And the difference in the track compared to what we saw a little bit earlier is include Hawaii Island and maybe as a hurricane, it could potentially make landfall. And that would make history if it did. By Saturday at 2 o'clock in the morning, you can see about 70 mile per winds. And then by the afternoon, perhaps a landfall with winds of 75 miles per hour. And then kind of stays there for quite some time. And you see, the back side of the storm is quite large. So that's going to sit over Hawaii Island for a long period of time. We're talking about 12 hours to 18 hours of very. Very severe weather, strong winds with that front right quadrant. And then as the system stalls out, more rain will be anchored to the mountains. And then you can see the rest of the track takes it well south of us. We're going to be seen it maybe as a hurricane as it passes south of Maui County. And then it's going to be in an area where it falls apart a little bit with intensity back to tropical storm strength and then right back up as a hurricane as it clears the island by the time we get into Monday.

a dynamic system, very interesting system from the start. And the big question, could this make landfall, potential historic hurricane landfall? Let's take a deeper look at that. And many of the weather models take it just to the south, only about five to eight miles to the south. But with the hurricane force winds and also the winds circulating around the mountains, it could pull it in towards Hawaii Island as it interacts with the mountains with the steep terrain. So it very well could. Hawaii tropical landfalls, not very many of them. We have seen tropical storms make landfall over Hawaii Islands and also Maui and of course Eniki as a category four on Kauai and also Dot in 1959. So this could be one for the history books. As far as what we're seeing with that front right quadrant, plenty of rain on Saturday morning, but the center of the system is still offshore. And then we'll start seeing things pile up at 10 o'clock at night, still anchored. in the mountains there with that front right quadrant. We're talking about 20 to 25 inches of rain of possibility. With the rest of the island chain, it's going to vary place to place, but maybe thunderstorms could be firing up as all of this comes together. So we're talking about very interesting situation into the night. Please check on loved ones on Hawaii Island. Be prepared because it's really going to pick up later tonight. Saturday is going to be a long day for you before it starts making its move towards. the West Saturday night into Sunday. All right. Thank you so much, Jan. The UH soccer match against Kansas State has been moved up a day. The Rainbow Wahina will play tomorrow instead of Saturday afternoon when the storm is expected to drench Oahu. Safety is top of mind for the student athletes. Number one thing all the time is safety and the student athlete well-being. So we want to do our part to be responsible. And moving the game up to Saturday is absolutely the right thing to do. The bows will face Kansas State at 12.30 p.m. in Manoa. And our pregame show begins at noon. And you can watch on K5 or on Hawaii News Now.com. Coming up next at 9, the all-time greats, whose legacies are now enshrined in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose. And finally tonight, now four Hawaii greats are immortalized after they officially entered the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Inducted in a ceremony Thursday night was world champion surfer Kalia Moniz, Beth McLaughlin, an Olympian and University of Hawaii volleyball star Tony Samuel Alito, who is the only basketball coach in Hawaii history to win both a high school state championship and a college national title and skateboarding trailblazer Darren Ho. I feel so honored to be surrounded by some of these great athletes that I've always admired and to be put into that same ability by them. Yeah, I can't explain it. The Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame was founded by the late Larry Price who passed away this past March. Its mission is to preserve and promote Hawaii's rich sports history. We'll have more news ahead at 10.

Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose.