Devastating Floods Destroy Homes and Cemetery in Hawaii’s Kaʻū District

Severe flooding has left communities on the south side of Hawaii’s Big Island in ruins following heavy rains from Hurricane Lala, which weakened to a tropical storm. In Naʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu, multiple homes were completely destroyed or swept from their foundations. Dozens of vehicles lie buried under volcanic rock, mud, and debris. Floodwaters also partially destroyed a local cemetery, carrying headstones and caskets of loved ones downstream in a particularly painful blow to the community.

Video footage from the area shows the scale of the destruction, with homes ripped apart, power lines downed, and deep mud isolating entire neighborhoods. More than 100 homes across the Kaʻū district were damaged or destroyed, and at least six bridges were compromised or washed out. Road collapses and heavy debris flows have left residents cut off, with power and communication outages compounding the hardship. One fatality has been confirmed, and search and recovery efforts continue amid difficult conditions.

The sudden intensity of the flash flooding caught many by surprise as water surged down from higher elevations, carrying massive boulders and destroying everything in its path. First responders and residents have described scenes of total shock as familiar streets and homes were transformed into landscapes of mud and wreckage. Businesses, including long-standing local landmarks, suffered heavy damage, adding to the economic and emotional toll on the tight-knit communities.

Recovery will require significant time and resources as crews work to clear roads, restore power, and help residents rebuild. The disturbance of the cemetery has added a profound layer of grief for families already dealing with the loss of homes and possessions. Support from state and federal partners will be essential in the weeks ahead as the people of Kaʻū begin the long process of recovering from one of the most destructive flood events the area has experienced in recent memory.