Prepare now for likely hurricane

After a few years without a major destructive storm, Hawaii residents can get pretty ho-hum about hurricane season. That’s never a good idea for an isolated island community — especially this year.

Forecasters studying El Nino conditions — caused by warmer-than-average surface temperatures in the sea — anticipate more than the usual number of tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific region for the June-through-November period this year. Tropical cyclones can develop into hurricane-strength storms.

Heightening the concern over the destructive force of hurricanes are the large number of solar panels popping up statewide — there are more than 40,000 solar PV systems hooked up to the electrical grid. More than 17,600 solar units were installed in 2013 alone, according to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. Homeowners would be wise to make sure their rooftop systems are built to withstand hurricane-force winds.

The Aina Haina Public Library became the first public library on Oahu to install rooftop photovoltaic panels, a system that was completed in August 2011 at a cost topping $600,000. In mid-March, high winds, well below hurricane force, caused severe damage to the system, which is still undergoing repairs. A cracked framing structure for the panels was one cause that was cited. What was meant as a money-saver became an an added expense.

If a true hurricane were to hit, solar panels would be only the latest source of worry to add to a long list of concerns about protecting personal safety and property. Four to seven tropical cyclones were predicted to hit the Central Pacific Basin, the region that includes Hawaii, when the tally for an average year is four or five.

Forecasting is an imprecise business — last year the region had a higher-than-average incidence of tropical cyclones when a below- average year had been expected. So clearly this year it’s best to be prepared for the worst.

Hawaii frequently has dodged the hurricane bullet, which is fortunate but also has left residents with a false sense of security. Everyone needs to keep in mind that the last hurricane was the islands’ worst. Iniki, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 131-155 mph, in 1992 killed six people, injured more than 100 and caused an estimated $1.8 billion in damage. The worst was suffered primarily on Kauai, where it damaged or destroyed 14,350 homes.

In the years since then, government has improved civil communications procedures. That, and providing sufficient shelter capacity, remain the principal responsibility of civil defense agencies. There is still much to do to bolster these provisions: On neighbor islands in particular, not all the shelters are built to withstand the worst storms.

Despite the obvious need for government action, however, the greatest role in limiting the losses from hurricanes still belongs to individual households. That is why during hurricane season there are constant reminders. Here are just a few of them, taken from the Hawaii Civil Defense website (www.scd.ha waii.gov/preparedness.html):

» A household emergency kit should include drinking water, blankets for warmth and food supplies to last seven days for each person. Count on a gallon of water and 2,000-3,000 calories in nonperishable food per adult, per day. Keep food in airtight containers.

» Check to see that any emergency equipment, such as generators, flashlights and other battery- operated gear, is ready to function.

» Learn locations of shelters in advance and determine safe exit routes from your home.

Hawaii should know by now that when disaster strikes, island communities will have to be self-reliant, possibly for a long while. If there was ever a year to prepare and not procrastinate, it’s this El Nino year.