Accounting for Naalehu residents after deadly flooding

Aug 21, 2026

Crews on Hawaii's Big Island are still trying to confirm that everyone in Naalehu survived last weekend's flooding, and a second storm is already on the way.

  • Two people are confirmed dead after floodwaters tore through the town on Saturday.
  • The National Guard and county workers are going door to door to find out who is still unaccounted for.
  • No new missing person reports have been filed, and some people may simply be staying with friends or traveling.
  • The dead are John Hills, a retired physics professor in his 60s, and Mae Doi, a 93-year-old retired teacher.
  • Floodwaters ripped open graves at the local cemetery, and special teams are working to secure them.

Outlook: Wellness checks will continue for the next few days, with heavy rain possible again over the weekend.

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