What’s in Your Kit? Hurricane Season Starts

By Wendy Osher

Emergency preparedness pamphlets are available from the Maui County Civil Defense Agency. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The month of June marks the official start of the hurricane season in Hawaii.  Despite a below normal season forecast by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, authorities remind the public that they must still remain aware and be prepared.

Emergency and disaster response agencies will host a Hurricane Expo on Maui on Saturday to better prepare residents by providing educational materials, informational booths and workshops.

Another way to be prepared is to create an emergency preparedness kit containing a seven day supply of essential items.  Below are some emergency kit contents Emergency Management officials on O’ahu suggest.

• Water: one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
• Food: non-perishable items that do not require cooking to consume.
• Radio: battery-powered or hand crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (and extra batteries for both).
• Light: flashlight and/or a portable fluorescent light and extra batteries.
• Medical Supplies: First Aid Kit, prescription medications and glasses.
• Pet Supplies: pet food, carrier and extra water for your pet.
• Important Documents: wills, deeds, banking information etc. stored in a watertight container.

In addition to emergency supplies, emergency officials say individuals and families should have a disaster plan, and an out–of-state emergency contact.

The Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.