Hurricane Lala Floods Expose Human Remains in Hawaii Cemetery: ‘You Can See Caskets, Bones’

A tropical storm has wreaked havoc across Hawaii, intensifying into a Category 3 hurricane that has caused extensive damage, particularly in the rural town of Nāʻālehu on the Big Island. As Hurricane Lala made landfall on August 19, the storm devastated over 100 homes and severely impacted local infrastructure, leaving residents grappling with loss and destruction.

The storm’s destructive path has had particular repercussions for the Nāʻālehu Cemetery, where torrential flooding led to the dislodgment of headstones and in some cases, the remains of those interred. Local residents are now mourning as they find themselves confronting the aftermath of this tragedy. Colleen Gundaker, a Nāʻālehu resident, expressed her grief: “It’s just really heartbreaking. There are no words that can describe the feeling,” she said, acknowledging the emotional toll the storm has taken on the community.

Initial forecasts had predicted only a Category 1 storm, but Lala’s rapid escalation caught many by surprise. By August 19, the tempest was fully realised as a formidable Category 3 hurricane, wreaking havoc across the southern parts of the Big Island, which Governor Josh Green confirmed during an update. “The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the losses are profound,” he remarked, as reports began to emerge regarding the state of the cemetery and local infrastructure.

Witness accounts detailed the disturbing scene at the cemetery. Residents such as Raedyn Louis discovered missing and damaged headstones, sharing the sadness felt by many. “Sad to see everybody’s ʻohana just washed away and everything,” he lamented, expressing his dismay at the situation. Louis reiterated the surreal nature of the scenes unfolding around him, where the force of the storm has revealed caskets and skeletal remains, leaving a visual reminder of the storm’s indiscriminate destruction.

The community has come together in its grief, with Gundaker reflecting on the loss not only of physical structures but also of the memory and respect owed to the deceased. In an appeal for compassion, Governor Green urged people to act with care and consideration for those laid to rest in the cemetery. “Please respect those people who were deceased and buried in the cemetery there,” he stated, acknowledging the sacred nature of the site.

Amidst this catastrophe, the storm has claimed three lives. Tragically, a 45-year-old man reportedly died in a car collision as conditions worsened shortly before the storm reached its height. Additionally, two other individuals, including a 93-year-old woman, were found deceased shortly after being reported missing in the wake of the hurricane, highlighting the storm’s deadly impact.

As of August 19, the hurricane left around 19,000 residents without power, a marked decrease from the estimated 104,000 outages reported just two days earlier, according to Hawaiian Electric. Communities are now working tirelessly to restore services and clear debris, as many are still cut off from essential supplies and support.

Damage to roads and bridges has been substantial, with access to the town of Pahala notably impacted by the collapse of a two-lane bridge, isolating residents from vital resources. Efforts to establish safe transport routes are underway as emergency services work to support those affected by the storm.

As Hurricane Lala’s remnants continue to linger over Hawaii, the collective resolve of the affected communities is being tested. The recovery from this catastrophic event will require not only practical rebuilding but also a gradual healing of the emotional scars left behind. The road ahead may be long, but the people of Nāʻālehu and beyond remain steadfast in their determination to rebuild and honour those they have lost.