First and most importantly, all of our 700+ cats are safe.
Hurricane Lala brought powerful winds and heavy rain across Hawaiʻi, and Lānaʻi certainly felt her presence. For the safety of our cats, visitors, and team, we closed the Sanctuary on Saturday and Sunday.
Closing for even one day is rare for us. Losing an entire weekend, especially during one of the last busy weekends of summer, had a significant impact. Still, keeping everyone safe had to come first.
One of our Lānaʻi Lions remains safely sheltered after the storm.
The Sanctuary sustained significant damage
Heavy rain caused flooding throughout the Sanctuary. Powerful winds scattered debris and brought down tree limbs.
A brand new carport was completely destroyed. The front of a storage shed was ripped away before the structure crumbled. About 30 cat houses will also need to be replaced.
Thankfully, our secure cat habitats and perimeter fencing were not damaged. The cats remained safely inside their enclosures throughout the storm, and our team continued providing their regular food, medical care, and attention.
A brand new carport was completely destroyed during the storm.
Preparing for storms on a small island
Living on a small island in the Pacific means preparing for hurricane season every year.
Nearly everything we need, including cat food and essential supplies, arrives by barge just once a week. We keep additional supplies on hand in case rough seas or canceled shipments temporarily interrupt deliveries.
Hurricane Lala is the second major storm we have weathered in just six months. Experiences like this are exactly why preparation is so important.
The cats, true to form, did not seem particularly concerned. Most Lānaʻi Lions come from generations of cats that lived outdoors. While our team kept a close eye on the wind and rain, the cats were considerably less impressed.
We are open again
The weather has improved, cleanup and repairs are underway, and the Sanctuary has reopened to visitors.
We are grateful that every cat is safe, our team is safe, and the Sanctuary’s most important protections held strong when they were needed most.
Our team began clearing fallen branches and storm debris as soon as conditions allowed.
Help us repair and rebuild
We estimate that Hurricane Lala caused between $15,000 and $20,000 in damage.
Donations will help us replace damaged cat houses, repair essential structures, remove storm debris, and continue providing daily care for more than 700 cats while the recovery work moves forward.
Through every storm, we know we can count on our community. Your support helps us prepare before severe weather arrives, care for the cats while it passes, and pick up the pieces afterward.
Mahalo for standing with our cats and our team.
With gratitude,
Keoni Vaughn
Executive Director
Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary
