FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2026

#2026-007

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi National Guard (HING) has officially concluded its response and recovery operations on the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Lala, which struck the state last weekend. While efforts on those islands have drawn to a close, active recovery missions remain underway in Hawaiʻi County and Maui County, where HING personnel continue to assist local authorities with ongoing relief efforts.

At the peak of the storm response, the HING activated as many as 250 soldiers and airmen at a time on State Active Duty. These service members were deployed to provide critical emergency response and civil support capabilities to counties across the state.

"Our soldiers and airmen answered the call to service, putting community first in support of response and recovery efforts during Tropical Cyclone Lala," said Hawaiʻi Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan. "Their commitment to helping neighbors in need, from lifesaving rescues to damage assessments, reflect their dedication to help families begin to recover."

Throughout the storm and its aftermath, the HING supported state and county emergency management officials with a wide range of operational capabilities. These activities included high-water rescues and evacuations, debris clearance, donation deliveries, rapid damage assessments and aerial reconnaissance support. Additionally, National Guard liaison officers were embedded within county Emergency Operations Centers, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and the Honolulu Police Department Joint Operations Center to ensure seamless interagency coordination.

Specific missions and accomplishments of the HING response include:

• High-Wheeled Vehicle Teams stationed in Hawaiʻi County successfully assisted 16 residents and rescued two emergency medical paramedics stranded by floodwaters.
• Members of the HING's 93rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package partnered with the Hawaiʻi Fire Department to conduct door-to-door safety and wellness checks in the remote Kaʻū District of Hawaiʻi County. As of August 21, 2026, teams visited more than 322 homes.
• HING personnel assisted Maui County by integrating into eight joint damage assessment teams, completing 11 comprehensive assessments of storm-affected areas.
• The HING provided an aerial assessment flight for the Governor, Hawaiʻi County Mayor and the Adjutant General, enabling leadership to perform visual surveys of widespread storm damage.

The HING will continue to work with the counties and the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency for any requests for assistance. Additionally, the HING is actively monitoring incoming weather systems projected to reach the state this weekend and has already begun pre-positioning assets to ensure a rapid, coordinated response if required.

Additional images and video are available here: ​Tropical Storm - Hurricane Lala ​ credit Hawai'i National Guard

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Media contact:
Retired Maj. Jeffrey D. Hickman
Director, Public Affairs
State of Hawai'i, Department of Defense
Office: 808-441-7000
Direct: 808-779-8008
Email: [email protected]