Storm Update
Updated August 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM HST
This page carries guest updates for the Hali'i Kai community at Waikoloa Beach Resort, on the Kohala Coast of Hawai'i Island, during Tropical Storm & Hurricane Lala. It applies to everyone staying at Hali'i Kai, whichever company or owner manages your rental.
Lala keeps its name if it strengthens: the storm becomes Hurricane Lala once sustained winds reach 74 mph. For the storm's current classification, track, and timing, rely on the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and Hawai'i County Civil Defense, not social media.
Despite damage to a few of our favorite trees, Hali’i Kai was spared from the damage seen in small localized areas of the island. As of August 16, 2026, residents and guests enjoyed a mostly sunny afternoon with a beautiful sunset. Mahalo for your interest in the safety and condition of our community, guests, and neighbors.
Guests of Polu Resorts can continue their travel plans as expected. All suites under the care of Polu Resorts have been inspected and are in proper working order with no damage.
Guests that have booked with an operator other than Polu Resorts may wish to contact their rental manager or property owner for confimration. Polu Resorts oversees a select number of properties at Hali’i Kai and cannot comment on suites operated by other parties.
August 16, 2026 · 8:00 PM HST
Mahalo for visiting our Tropical Storm/Hurricane Lala page. We greatly appreciate our guests, who rode out the storm alongside us in great spirits! Surely a memorable vacation none of us will forget. For those finding this page planning a trip to Hali’i Kai, we thank you for your interest in the safety and condition of our property, guests, and neighbors. This will be the final update of our Lala page. A hui hou! - Polu Resorts Management & Ohanas.
August 16, 2026 · 7:52 AM HST
After a walk through the property, the bulk of the post-storm cleanup will be for landscaping crews. Minor damage to roof tiles on a handful of buildings. The roadways are clear with no flooding in Hali’i Kai. If you have questions about your vacation rental, contact your property owner or rental manager for assistance.
August 16, 2026 · 6:00 AM HST
Aloha & good morning from Hali’i Kai! We awoke to high humidity, calm air, and no rains. Our team will begin to check properties for incoming guests.
August 15, 2026 · 9:00 PM HST
Winds start to taper off. Moderate to heavy rain begins overnight.
August 15, 2026 · 7:20 PM HST
Heavy winds and light rains at Hali’i Kai. Unfortunately, a few of our beloved banyan trees came down as their shallow root system could not bear the winds.
August 15, 2026 · 3:15 PM HST
Fast winds returning with occasional light rain, overall dry.
August 15, 2026 · 2:47 PM HST
Relatively calm conditions at Hali’i Kai since last update. Periods of very light rain leaving dry patches of ground. An uneventful day at Hali’i Kai so far!
August 15, 2026 · 9:12 AM HST
Relatively calm conditions overnight at Hali’i Kai and Waikoloa Beach Resort. Wind maps showed us sitting in a bubble of almost no wind movement. No signs of rain overnight either. As of 9:12AM HST, winds are increasing on-property, but no rain just yet. On top of Mauna Kea, observed wind speeds reached 113 mph at some points overnight. Windspeeds at the top of Mauna Kea are usually high given the elevation.
August 14, 2026 · 4:13 PM HST
The Hali’i Kai Ocean Club is closing at 5PM today, August 14, 2026. It will remain closed with a tentative reopening date of Sunday, August 16, 2026.
August 14, 2026 · 11:00 AM HST
The Hali'i Kai Ocean Club will be closed Saturday, August 15, 2026 due to Tropical Storm Lala. Vehicle gates will be left open in case of loss of power.
August 13, 2026 · 5:01 PM HST
A Hurricane Warning was issued for Hawai'i Island by the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
No. The Hali'i Kai Ocean Club, including the oceanfront restaurant, bar, pool, hot tub, and fitness center, will be closed on Saturday, August 15, 2026 due to Tropical Storm Lala. Reopening will be announced on this page.
Hali'i Kai will leave the community's vehicle gates open in case of loss of power, so entry and exit will not depend on powered gates if electricity fails during the storm.
Contact your rental manager or the property owner. Guests of Polu Resorts should contact the concierge desk by call or text at +1 (808) 758-POLU (7658), by toll-free phone at +1 (888) 480-POLU (7658), or by email at [email protected].
The name stays the same either way. Lala is called Tropical Storm Lala while sustained winds are below 74 mph and becomes Hurricane Lala at 74 mph or higher. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center publishes the current classification and forecast.
No, it covers Hali'i Kai, a gated oceanfront community inside Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawai'i Island. For island-wide conditions, follow Hawai'i County Civil Defense and the National Weather Service in Honolulu.