Hang on to those emergency supplies

Besides the devastation in Puna, for many island residents the only things Hurricanes Iselle and Julio left behind are those cases of bottled water and Spam collected in a last-minute frenzy. No doubt many Hawaii households are fully stocked for the next hurricane.

It was heartening to see residents take the storm threat seriously, especially in an El Nino year. While people might consider returning their excess supplies for a refund, it’s worth remembering that hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

Of course, having all that extra Spam in the house tempts both body and soul. Remember — it’s for emergencies only.