Updated

Updated · Maui Now · Aug 18

Hurricane Lala Topples 80-Foot Tree Into Makawao Church Convent, Triggering Major Repairs

Updated

Updated · Maui Now · Aug 18

Hurricane Lala Topples 80-Foot Tree Into Makawao Church Convent, Triggering Major Repairs

Q: Why did Baldwin Avenue look busy again even as wrecked patios, crushed beams, and financial uncertainty threatened Makawao businesses behind the scenes?

Baldwin Avenue looked busy again because the visible commercial strip had largely reopened and people had returned to the street by Monday, even though much of the storm damage was hidden behind the storefronts. Reports from Makawao show that Hurricane Lala’s worst impacts were in rear areas not easily seen from the road. Large eucalyptus trees fell onto at least four buildings, crushing back structures, patios, beams and an employee bathroom at businesses including Haku Maui and ʻOhana Island Grindz. From the front, some shops appeared intact enough for normal foot traffic to resume, creating the impression of recovery. That outward bustle masked a more serious reality. Owners were still clearing debris, trying to salvage inventory, and waiting on damage estimates. Many were also dealing with power outages, insurance questions and uncertainty over how they would pay for repairs. The county and Hawaiian Electric were still responding to broader storm impacts across Upcountry, including downed trees, damaged lines and thousands of outages. The contrast also reflects Makawao’s resilience. Residents returned quickly, neighbors rallied around affected businesses, and support efforts began almost immediately, including donations and GoFundMe campaigns. But for business owners, the reopening of the street did not mean the crisis had passed. It meant public life had resumed while the hardest recovery work remained largely out of sight.

3 articles · Updated · Maui Now · Aug 18

A 60- to 80-foot eucalyptus tree crashed into St. Joseph Catholic Church’s former convent overnight, collapsing part of the roof and flooding ground-floor rooms after Hurricane Lala swept through Makawao.
Winds reached 75 mph near the Big Island, while large parts of Maui were hit by sustained 25 to 35 mph winds and gusts of 40 to 60 mph, with terrain expected to intensify local damage.
The 50-plus-year-old building now serves as a chapel, church office, guest lodging and meeting space; the church is insured, but Rev. Edison Pamintuan said coverage may not meet repair costs and no estimate is ready.
A GoFundMe had raised $2,565 toward a $14,000 goal from 26 donors by late Monday, as supporters said storm damage also hit the church thrift shop and St. Joseph’s Early Learning Center.
Elsewhere in Makawao, Lala tore part of a Department of Water Supply field office roof and dropped several hundred feet of utility lines, adding to broader storm damage already reported at local businesses.

Sources

Maui Now2d ago

Hurricane Lala Damages St. Joseph Catholic Church Convent in Makawao

KHON22d ago

Lala leaves Naalehu businesses wrecked, homes flooded

Hawaii News Now2d ago

Maui Businesses Ruined by Hurricane Lala's Winds in Makawao

7 Sources

What hidden damage did Hurricane Lala leave behind Makawao storefronts, and can beloved small businesses recover after back-to-back disasters?

Why did Baldwin Avenue look busy again even as wrecked patios, crushed beams, and financial uncertainty threatened Makawao businesses behind the scenes?