Verizon responds to Hurricane Lala; Offers relief for Hawai’i residents and businesses

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“When a disaster like Hurricane Lala hits, hearing a loved one’s voice is everything,” said Aimee Novak, West Area President for Verizon. “We are working to ensure our customers across the islands can reach the people who matter most. Thank you to our Verizon teams who are working hard to fully restore our network.”

The Verizon network remains resilient across Hawaiʻi, though Hurricane Lala has caused some localized service impacts on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Lanai. Safety remains our highest priority. As winds subside, restoration efforts are scheduled to begin later today on Maui and the Big Island, though downed trees and road closures may slow progress. Severe weather on Oahu continues to prevent safe field deployments. Our emergency teams are monitoring network conditions 24/7 and will deploy the moment it is safe to do so.

Preparations continue to keep customers and first responders connected across Hawai’i.

• Teams are monitoring the incoming storm and on standby to react quickly.
• Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.

Verizon remains committed to providing updates ahead of Tropical Storm Lala. Preparations have been made ahead of landfall. 

Verizon Victra-operated stores may fluctuate hours, and some locations may close early to ensure the safety of our employees and community. Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.

• trengthened network infrastructure: Verizon has prepared its Hawai’i network with backup generators, satellite assets, and pre-staged equipment designed for reliability during severe weather.
• Proactive collaboration: Verizon is working directly with the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), local power providers, and public safety officials to support critical infrastructure.
• Customer resources: Verizon offers essential digital preparedness steps to help residents and businesses stay connected and secure ahead of the storm.

HONOLULU, HI.—Tropical Storm Lala is tracking toward Hawai’i this weekend. Verizon has taken proactive, on-the-ground measures across the islands to protect connectivity. The company’s focus: keeping customers, local businesses and public safety partners connected when it matters most.

Engineered to withstand severe weather, a significant portion of Verizon’s network infrastructure in Hawai’i is backed by fully refueled permanent site generators with multiple days of backup power reserves. At sites without permanent generators, we have portable generators and other backup solutions available for deployment. To further reinforce operational resilience against potential commercial power loss or third-party fiber disruptions, Verizon engineers have satellite assets available to dispatch as needed.

Verizon is also working in close coordination with local power companies, the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and state public safety officials to ensure the company remains on constant standby to safeguard critical communications.

While Verizon engineers work around the clock to support Hawai’i, customers are urged to finalize their personal digital preparedness plans:

1. Charge up early: Keep all mobile devices, tablets, and portable power banks fully charged well before storm watches or warnings are issued for your location.
2. Protect your gear: Place phones, chargers, and external batteries in waterproof accessories or heavy-duty zip-lock bags to safeguard them against floodwaters or rain.
3. Establish a communication plan: Coordinate a dedicated ohana (family) emergency plan and save key emergency contact numbers directly to your devices.
4. Check on your kūpuna (elders): To ensure their devices are charged and they have an emergency communication plan in place.
5. Secure visual backups: Take photos of your home, vehicle, and valuables for insurance purposes. Ensure these images are uploaded to the cloud so you can access them even if your phone is lost or damaged.
6. Utilize digital resources: Download critical weather tracking, news, and American Red Cross safety apps ahead of time.
7. Mitigate customer disruption: List critical software, equipment, service contracts and vital contacts (utilities, vendors, authorities) needed to maintain operations. Review coverage with your insurance agent to eliminate gaps.
8. Contacts and documents are key: Centralize updated contact info for all staff (including remote and satellite offices) and keep accessible, secure copies of your insurance policies. 
9. Keep track of equipment: Maintain an inventory of all corporate hardware deployed to remote employees to streamline claims for potential loss or damage. 
10. The right tech makes an impact: Secure the mobile-ready technology and infrastructure needed to maintain business connectivity if you are forced to relocate.
11.  Have a backup plan: Establish a protocol to immediately reroute workloads if remote employees lose power or face evacuation. 

Verizon will continue monitoring Tropical Storm Lala and will provide local network status updates as necessary. Customers can track real-time network status using the Check Network Status tool on Verizon’s website or directly within the My Verizon mobile app.

Visit the Emergency Resource Center for further details on Verizon’s emergency response capabilities.