×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Nolo threatens Hawai’i’s Big Island just weeks after Lala’s destruction

Direct Relief is in contact with Hawaiʻi Community Health Center and sent hurricane preparedness packs to the health center ahead of Hurricanes.

News

Hawaii

Satellite storm map
CIRA/NOAA
By Olivia Lewis

Hawaiʻi’s Big Island may see up to three feet of rain as Tropical Storm Nolo builds momentum in the Pacific.

Nolo is not expected to make landfall, but forecasters warn of catastrophic damage, and several severe weather alerts are in effect.

Nolo arrives just weeks after Hurricane Lala, which caused major flooding and long-term power outages on the Big Island. Back-to-back hurricanes, on top of several severe storms earlier in the summer, are unusual for the Hawaiian Islands.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service warned that Nolo’s winds could be catastrophic. The agency expects widespread power and communication outages, uprooted trees and fences, downed road signs, and impassable streets and bridges. It also warned emergency responders to expect evacuations and rescues due to extreme rainfall.

Recovery amid ongoing storms

Heavy rains continue to flood parts of the Big Island. Communities in Nāʻālehu and Kaʻū are still recovering from recent storms that caused major flooding and power outages. Hawaiʻi Community Health Center temporarily suspended operations at two clinics during Hurricane Lala due to power and communication outages, and its Kaʻū location sustained significant flood damage.

Dr. Victoria Hanes, the health center’s executive vice president of operations and administration, told Direct Relief that the health center can manage short power outages by safely storing temperature-sensitive medications and using paper patient records. The hurricanes, however, have caused outages lasting days.

Islanders have been urged to find safe shelter during Nolo. The last storm stripped vegetation from parts of the island, and heavy rain made roads impassable. Hanes said the health center is prepared for isolated storms, but Hurricane Lala affected all of its sites. The health center already serves a medically underserved population, and during a disaster, its services become vital to a much larger share of the island.

“The hardest hit were the Ocean View and Kaʻū clinics, with severe flooding damage and long-term outages,” she wrote in an email to Direct Relief. “We first focused on opening all sites where we could safely return to our facilities, and then mobilized our mobile health clinics to serve areas where our clinics weren’t able to operate.”

After Lala, communities across the Big Island worked to regain a sense of normalcy as gas grew scarce, groceries ran short and power slowly returned. Satellite phones, generators and Starlink kept people connected while the grid was down.

Health center staff volunteered at the community resource hub, supporting food distributions and donations and sharing information. The health center also relied on community partnerships to strengthen its emergency response.

“The fire department helped hand-deliver essential prescriptions to patients who were isolated and in need,” Hanes wrote. “We are so grateful for our incredible communities and the multitude of ways that they stepped up to help others get back on their feet.”

Direct Relief is in contact with Hawaiʻi Community Health Center and sent hurricane preparedness packs to the health center ahead of Hurricanes Lala and Nolo.

Filed Under: , , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.

Hear From Direct Relief

Get stories, emergency updates, and humanitarian impact delivered to your inbox.