Fearsome weather overtaking the islands tests the coordination, capacity and efficiency of the state and local governments, and the self-reliance of individual residents.
The generally calm response so far is testament to prudent planning, advance decision-making and the willingness of Hawaii residents to take the threat seriously, heed all warnings and prepare accordingly.
Barely two months into hurricane season, Hawaii is facing two dangerous storms moving in from the east:
» Iselle, which is forecast to continue to weaken as it makes landfall on Hawaii island Thursday and on Oahu Friday;
» Julio, a system right behind it on a more northwest path but nonetheless expected to bring surging tides, heavy rain and high winds to the state Sunday, again starting with Hawaii island.
The one-two punch is not to be taken lightly, and the lines this week at grocery and big-box stores, gas stations and cash machines indicate that most folks are ready to hunker down if necessary.
There’s a distinction to be made between stocking up and hoarding, however; panic buying must be discouraged, as it has the potential to disrupt supplies throughout the state.
Likewise, the runup led to reports of price gouging on essentials such as bottled water. These practices are especially harmful in a remote, isolated island community like ours, breeding fear and mistrust among people who are better served by an instinct to help one another when disaster looms.
We applaud the state Office of Consumer Protection for acting swiftly to deter price gouging, by placing a freeze on the price of commodities in Hawaii through at least Aug. 15 and vowing to prosecute individual cases to the full extent of the law.
On the bright side, some merchants actually reduced prices on key items, more in keeping with the aloha spirit that is essential for islanders to weather these storms and whatever may come later this hurricane season, which lasts from June through November, and is forecast to be worse than usual due to El Nino conditions.
The price freeze was put into effect via the emergency proclamation that Gov. Neil Abercrombie wisely signed ahead of the storms, which activates the Disaster Fund and allows for easier access to emergency resources at state and federal levels.
State and county officials in general are to be commended for coordinating a disaster preparedness response that emphasized early action, taking advantage of technology that allows experts to predict the storms’ path more accurately and to quickly broadcast updates and warnings to residents via all types of media.
Weather forecasting is not an exact science, however, making it critical that residents stay abreast of the latest news and know how to react as conditions change.
One important piece of consistent advice: Avoid driving if at all possible. Keeping roads clear is a priority.
Outreach to homeless people who need help getting into shelters; announcements at least a day ahead of time about which schools and government offices will be closed; and detailed instructions to residents, including business owners, and tourists, about how to prepare — all are examples of a clear, coordinated approach that should improve public safety.
If, as we hope, the islands bear the worst of Iselle and Julio without death and destruction, none of these preventative actions will have been an overreaction.
A threat this large demands a broad and sustained response, despite the disruption to school, work and other activities.
One of those activities deserves special mention: With the primary election concluding on Saturday, it’s important to make voting a priority despite nasty weather.
We’ll live with the results of this election longer than we’ll cope with Iselle’s effects, most likely. So long as it is safe to do so, cast your ballot.
