HONOLULU (KHON2) — The emergency proclamation allows the state and counties to respond immediately to hurricane-related damage or issues. But leaders on all islands want to make sure you are prepared as well.
State and county leaders are keeping a close eye on Kiko — taking part in a statewide coordination call Friday morning. And will continue to do so over the weekend to make sure everyone is on the same page.
“Just having coordinated efforts, not conflicting with each other, making sure we’re working together,” said Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense.
State Department of Transportation says at the airports, it’s working with airlines on preparing for any cancellations and stranded passengers. Harbors are on watch, and any boats are ready to move if needed. And crews are clearing out drains to make sure the roads stay clear.
“We are keeping abreast of the storm and the conditions that are coming,” said Ed Sniffen, Department of Transportation Director. “We’re making sure that our staff and our equipment are all ready. And we’ll make sure that the system is as prepared as possible for the winds and the rains that are coming.”
Hawaiian Electric is also coordinating with state and county agencies and reviewing its emergency procedures.
“We’re making sure we’ll have staffing available and ready to respond and we’re going through our various emergency checklists to make sure that all our people, our equipment, our materials are ready and ready to respond as needed, if and when the storm has any impacts here in Hawaii,” said Darren Pai, Hawaiian Electric spokesman.
But officials say it’s our job to be ready as well by staying on top of the forecast, preparing for potentially lengthy power outages and gathering a 14-day disaster kit.
“Sometimes we use those batteries during the summer. sometimes we eat some of those emergency supplies, so it’s a good opportunity to go back and replenish and make sure that we have everything that we need,” said Pai.
“Have a generator, maybe a battery backup, or access to a friend’s home or facility with backup power, and even a power inverter or where you can use your car to safely convert that to 120 volts to power your equipment,” said Elton Ushio, Kauai Emergency Management Agency.
Officials say the bottom line is don’t be scared, be prepared.
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“You don’t, you don’t need to panic,” said James Barros, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. “Don’t go to Costco and buy all the toilet paper and all the water. Pull your plans out of inventory. Now look at what you have. Look at your plans. Look at your property. Prep your property for increased winds and increased rains.”