By Mark Osborne
Updated on: August 22, 2026 / 5:34 PM EDT / CBS News
Tropical Storm Moke is set to bring significant rainfall and gusty winds this weekend as it moves south of the Hawaiian Islands. This comes shortly after Hurricane Lala caused major damage in the area. Moke had sustained winds of 50 mph as of midday Saturday and was expected to grow stronger, reported the National Hurricane Center.
The storm is not anticipated to hit Hawaii directly but will still affect the Big Island with wind and rain on Saturday night and early Sunday. Other islands will be impacted early next week. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen emphasized the potential for flooding, debris, downed trees, roadway issues, and power outages, urging residents to prepare adequately.
‘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,’ Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the rainfall could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides on the windward and southeast areas of the Big Island, particularly in regions already affected by Lala’s aftermath.
The Hawaiian Islands have already endured extensive damage from Hurricane Lala, which did not make direct landfall but passed 30 miles off the Big Island, bringing gusts over 80 mph and more than 3 feet of rain in certain areas. Kapalua in Maui County recorded 48 inches of rainfall over the weekend.
Mayor Bissen acknowledged the community’s storm fatigue, while expressing gratitude for their preparedness amidst an especially active hurricane season.
We know many in our community are experiencing storm fatigue and still recovering from last weekend’s weather system, so mahalo for continuing to look out for one another and staying prepared.
While the rainfall from Moke might not match Lala in intensity, it still poses a hazard, particularly on the already saturated ground. The Big Island could receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, with some locations seeing up to 15 inches, as indicated by the National Hurricane Center. Eastern Maui may get 3 to 6 inches, while other islands might experience 1 to 2 inches.
Hawaii has reactivated its joint information center, previously deactivated post-Lala, to coordinate public updates through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. The islands face challenges from an El Niño climate pattern, which is linked to warmer Pacific waters and creates ideal conditions for more hurricanes due to reduced vertical wind shear.