Hawaiʻi National Guard Clears Path to Recovery After Hurricane Lala
Courtesy Photo |
Hawaiʻi National Guard soldiers and airmen assigned to Task Force Hawaiʻi cleared......read moreread more
Courtesy Photo | Hawaiʻi National Guard soldiers and airmen assigned to Task Force Hawaiʻi cleared debris in Nā‘ālehu, Hawaiʻi, on Sept. 2, 2026. Task Force Hawaiʻi conducted debris removal operations following Hurricane Lala to help clear properties and support recovery efforts in communities affected by the storm. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Benadetti) see less
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Hawaiʻi National Guard Clears Path to Recovery After Hurricane Lala
In the aftermath of Hurricane Lala, roads across Hawaiʻi Island were buried beneath mud, rocks, trees and other debris, making it difficult for residents, emergency responders and utility crews to move through some of the hardest-hit communities.
For soldiers and airmen of the Hawaiʻi National Guard, the mission shifted quickly from rescuing people trapped by floodwaters to helping communities begin the long process of recovery.
Guardsmen worked alongside Hawaiʻi County personnel to clear debris from roadways and homes, helping restore access for emergency vehicles and the delivery of critical supplies.
Each morning, teams linked up with county personnel and moved into assigned areas of operation to clear roads and make them more accessible.
“We sent our trucks out with them, assisting with kind of clearing roadways and make everything a little more passable for emergency vehicles and supplies to get delivered,” said Sgt. Dearrick Salinas, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment.
The conditions left behind by the storm presented a different set of challenges.
“When we first arrived, a lot of the roads were covered in dirt and debris, trees were down, there were a lot of rocks and rubble all over, so it was really hard to get through the roads,” said Spc. Brianna Diazescobar, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment.
The debris was not limited to natural materials, Guardsmen encountered appliances, as well as vehicles and other belongings that had been displaced by the flooding.
Some of the most difficult work took place away from the roads, they entered muddy yards and garages to help residents regain access to their homes.
Diazescobar recalled helping one resident whose garage was filled with mud more than ankle-deep. The Guardsmen used shovels to clear a path through the mud, which contained debris, allowing the resident to reach the back of his home.
“It definitely feels like an honor to help out the community and make things easier for them,” Diazescobar said. “I know it's a very difficult time, so it just feels really good to help out, especially being here from the Big Island.”
The work required Guardsmen to balance speed with safety. Muddy conditions, unstable debris and difficult-to-reach areas created hazards as teams worked around homes and properties.
“I feel like the hardest part was trying not to fall and slip, minimize the safety hazards we had out there,” Diazescobar said.
The debris-clearance mission was one part of a broader Hawaiʻi National Guard response to Hurricane Lala. At the height of the response, as many as 250 Guardsmen were activated on state active duty to support state and county emergency management agencies. Missions included high-water rescues and evacuations, wellness checks, debris clearance, damage assessments, aerial reconnaissance and delivery of donated supplies.
On Hawaiʻi Island, debris teams cleared more than 11,150 meters that had over 58 tons of debris from roadways and homes as of Sept. 4, 2026.
The Guard's recovery mission also extended to Maui County, where Task Force Maui personnel worked alongside county partners to assess 80 homes with storm damage and support debris-removal efforts clearing 700 meters of road.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard continues to work with Hawaiʻi county as communities recover from Hurricane Lala, providing manpower and specialized capabilities where requested.
For Guardsmen like Salinas and Diazescobar, the work is more than moving debris. It is about helping residents regain access to their homes and creating a safer path forward after the storm.
“I'm proud to have been a part of a team that could come and help out the community,” Diazescobar said.
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