Hurricane Lala may have scared some people who were thinking about moving to the Big Island. That is understandable.
Even though Lala passed just south of the island rather than making a direct hurricane landfall, it still brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, downed trees, road damage and power outages to the island.
For anyone whose home or property was damaged, the technical distinction probably does not mean much.
It also gives me a new appreciation for what people in places like Florida and the Caribbean experience when they are hit by much stronger hurricanes.
For me, though, one of the biggest lessons from Lala is something I already talk about with people considering buying here:
Where you buy on the Big Island matters.
We own properties in several different areas on the east side, and they did not all experience the storm in the same way. A lot depends on the specific property, the surrounding terrain and how prepared the home is for extended rain, wind and power outages.
Drainage and Topography
One of the first things I would look at is where the water goes.
Is the home in a low-lying area? Is there good natural drainage? Does water collect around the house or driveway? Are there nearby roads that tend to flood?
Another thing I pay more attention to now is the type of foundation.
Many newer homes on the Big Island are built on slab, which makes understanding the lay of the land and drainage around the house especially important. Water has nowhere to go underneath the home, so you want to understand how water moves across the property during really heavy rain.
Many older homes here are built on post and pier, with the living area raised above the ground. That can provide an advantage when you are dealing with surface water, although the foundation itself still needs to be properly designed and maintained.
Modern post-and-pier construction is still allowed, but today’s structural requirements can make it considerably more involved than the simple post-and-pier homes you see from decades ago.
Personally, if I were building a new home on relatively flat land and I was concerned about drainage, I would give serious consideration to post and pier. If the house is going to sit close to grade on a slab, I want to be very comfortable with the elevation, grading and drainage around it.
Large Trees Near the Home
Trees are another major consideration, and this one became very real for us during Lala.
We had two very large trees come down at our property in Volcano Village. Fortunately, neither damaged the house or other property, but there is still a significant cost involved in cutting them up, removing them and cleaning up afterward.
This also wasn’t our first experience with falling trees. During the Kona Low last March, we lost a couple of other trees at the same property, including one that fell on our tenant’s car.
Ironically, the majestic evergreens were one of the things that originally drew us to this property. They are beautiful and give the property much of its character. But after experiencing several major trees coming down, I’m not sure I would appreciate having so many large trees close to a home quite as much today.
It is something I now look at differently when evaluating a property: not just whether the trees are beautiful, but what could happen if one of them falls.
What Happens When the Power Goes Out?
Power outages are inconvenient anywhere, but the impact can vary considerably depending on the property and the backup systems you have in place.
At the home we live in, we have solar with battery backup, and during Lala the system worked exactly the way you hope it will. When the grid power went out, the battery kicked in seamlessly. Other than the notification from the system, we really did not notice the transition.
Our system also monitors severe weather alerts. When a storm is approaching, it automatically charges the battery to full and holds that reserve so the power is available if the grid goes down. Once the storm has passed, it returns to its normal operating mode.
On battery power alone, we can generally operate the house for more than 24 hours, depending on what we are using. That is a true luxury, and going through a storm like Lala makes you appreciate it even more.
Some of our tenants did lose power, which highlighted the difference between a property with that kind of backup and one without it.
One advantage of East Hawaiʻi’s relatively mild climate is that most homes are not dependent on electricity for heating, and many do not rely heavily on air conditioning. But electricity is still important for refrigeration, lighting, communications and, for homes on catchment, the water pump.
You certainly do not need a full solar-and-battery system to be prepared. A generator and some basic planning can go a long way. But after experiencing a significant outage with essentially no interruption to our daily life, I have a much greater appreciation for what a good backup power system provides.
Catchment Changes the Equation
If a property is on rainwater catchment, the water pump normally requires electricity.
That means a power outage can eventually become a water outage as well.
Of the properties we own, one is on catchment and does not currently have a battery backup or generator. Lala highlighted that vulnerability for me, and it is something I would like to correct.
A relatively small generator can make a major difference. Combined with some coolers, ice, backup lighting and basic storm preparation, you can maintain a surprising amount of normalcy even when utility power is unavailable.
The Bigger Lesson for Buyers
Would Hurricane Lala change my mind about living on the Big Island?
No.
But it reinforces something I think every buyer should understand.
Do not evaluate a property only based on how it looks on a sunny day.
Think about how that property will function after several days of heavy rain. Think about where the water goes. Look at the trees around the house. Understand whether the home is on municipal water or catchment. Consider what happens if the electricity is unavailable for several days.
These issues can vary significantly from one property to another, even within the same general area.
Buying on the Big Island is about more than finding a house you like. It is also about understanding the land, the utilities, the climate and the particular risks associated with that property.
Those are exactly the kinds of things I encourage buyers to think about before they purchase.
If you are considering moving to the Big Island and have questions about a particular area or property, I am always happy to share what I have learned from living here, owning properties in different parts of East Hawaiʻi and working with buyers throughout the area.
