Coast Guard Sets Port Condition Zulu, Closes Big Island, Maui, Kauai Commercial Ports

The Coast Guard closed commercial ports on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Kauaʻi as Tropical Storm Lala moved through the islands, halting cargo, terminal and vessel operations unless officials grant specific approval.

The agency imposed port condition Zulu at different times across the three counties. Hawaiʻi County entered the condition at 8:00 a.m. HST on August 14, 2026. Maui County followed at 8:00 p.m. that day, and Kauaʻi County reached it at 8:00 a.m. on August 15.

“ The port is closed. All pleasure craft shall seek sheltered waters. No terminal, facility, or vessel operations are permitted within the port unless specifically approved by the COTP.”

The statement came from Captain Nicholas S. (Nick) Worst, the Captain of the Port for Honolulu. Worst assumed command in June 2025.

The shutdown prohibits all cargo operations. Commercial facilities and vessels cannot operate inside the affected ports without permission.

State emergency updates also placed Honolulu County under the same condition by 12:00 p.m. HST on August 15, bringing all commercial ports in the state to full closure by that time. Harbor assessments were scheduled to begin at first light on August 16 to determine whether any port could move back to Yankee, a status that would permit limited cargo activity.

Harbor closures followed a staggered island-by-island schedule

The closure timetable affected the state’s main commercial facilities in stages:

The earlier Yankee stage barred incoming traffic without approval. Cargo work had to stop within 12 hours, while lightering and bunkering also had to end.

Mariners were instructed to monitor VHF-FM Channels 16 and 22A and check port-status updates. Questions could be sent to the Maritime Transportation System Recovery Unit at d14-dg-sh-sechono-mtsru@uscg.mil or directed to the Sector Honolulu Command Center at 1-800-552 6458.

Storm damage disrupted airports and inter-island freight

The closures came as Lala weakened after reaching hurricane strength near the Big Island. Maximum sustained winds reached 80 mph before falling to 70 mph on August 16.

The storm was downgraded to a tropical storm at approximately 2:00 a.m. HST on August 16 as it moved northwest away from Hawaiʻi Island. Windward areas of the Big Island received as much as 20–25 inches of rain.

Hilo International Airport closed during the storm. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole was scheduled to close at 2 p.m. on August 15, with terminals secured and security staff sheltering in place as Lala crossed Hawaiʻi Island.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation expected both Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport to resume operations later on August 16 after safety inspections.

Young Brothers, the state’s primary inter-island barge operator, announced earlier changes for Kawaihae Harbor. The harbor was scheduled to close to inbound traffic at 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, and to outbound traffic at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 14.

The operator also stopped accepting refrigerated cargo, hazardous cargo and livestock at that time. Sailings to Kawaihae were canceled, while schedules for Kahului and Nawiliwili were modified.

Those changes created a temporary backlog in refrigerated and hazardous cargo deliveries. The port closures also disrupted normal inter-island shipping schedules.

Flooding triggered searches on the Big Island

Approximately 130,000 households lost power across the islands. Nearly 70% of the Big Island’s grid went offline.

One person died in a storm-related car accident in the South Point area of Hawaiʻi Island. National Guard and Coast Guard units also began search-and-rescue operations in Na‘alehu and Wai‘ōhinu after reports that homes had been swept away by flash floods.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described difficult conditions for rescuers during a press briefing on August 16.

“Several occupied homes may have been swept off their foundations. civil defense has initiated a search and rescue mission. What makes this very challenging is that there's rushing water, there's debris, and there's boulders on the road.”

Governor Josh Green, M.D., urged residents to remain sheltered during the storm’s passage.

“Hurricane Lala is now impacting our state, and the safety of our people remains our highest priority. If you are safe at home, please shelter in place.”

The storm’s track drew attention because it was described as the first hurricane-force system to pass so close to the Big Island’s southern tip in more than 150 years. The last direct hit cited in the updates occurred in 1871.

Cruise ships changed course as ports remained closed

Norwegian Cruise Line ships Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit deviated from their planned itineraries to avoid the storm’s peak.

Passengers received options to disembark early in Honolulu. The itinerary changes added another disruption for visitors as the state managed airport closures, harbor restrictions and storm-related travel interruptions.

Port authorities use a four-stage Heavy Weather scale to prepare for storms. Whiskey indicates that storm winds are expected within 72 hours while the port remains open. X-Ray marks winds expected within 48 hours, with vessels exceeding 200 GT preparing to depart.

Yankee signals expected storm winds within 24 hours and prohibits incoming traffic. Zulu applies when winds are expected within 12 hours and closes the port to operations.

The next decision depends on harbor inspections, debris removal and damage assessments. Worst was scheduled to evaluate conditions on August 16 before determining whether affected facilities could transition from Zulu to Yankee and allow limited cargo operations to resume.