Tropical Storm Moke’s Impact on Hawaii Amid Ongoing Resilience Efforts

Tropical Storm Moke threatens to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii this weekend, trailing the destructive impact of Hurricane Lala. As of midday Saturday, Moke had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was expected to intensify. While not predicted to make landfall, the storm will still bring significant weather changes to the Big Island on Saturday night into early Sunday, and other islands in the following days.

“Recent impacts from Tropical Storm Lala mean that even light to moderate rain and wind could trigger flooding, debris, downed trees, roadway issues and power outages,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen. “County departments have been preparing for Tropical Storm Moke, and we’re asking our community to do the same.” The National Hurricane Center warns that the rainfall could result in life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas previously affected by Lala.

Hurricane Lala hit Hawaii hard last weekend, with wind gusts exceeding 80 mph and rain accumulating over 3 feet in some areas. Kapalua, in Maui County, recorded 48 inches of rain over the weekend. In light of this, Bissen acknowledged the community’s storm fatigue and ongoing recovery, and emphasized the importance of preparedness during this exceptionally active hurricane season.

Rainfall from Moke is expected to range from 5 to 10 inches across the Big Island, with isolated areas seeing up to 15 inches. Eastern Maui could receive 3 to 6 inches, while the rest of the islands may experience 1 to 2 inches of rain. Hawaii activated its joint information center on Saturday to coordinate updates from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Hawaii’s current weather challenges are tied to an El Niño climate pattern, which causes warming waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These warm waters provide the necessary conditions for tropical cyclone development, creating a conducive environment for an active hurricane season in the region. By reducing vertical wind shear, an El Niño climate pattern allows tropical systems to develop more robustly without being disrupted by high atmospheric winds.