Oahu residents weren’t in a rush Wednesday to increase their stockpiles of goods before the storm, with many leisurely buying just a few cases of water and typical supplies for the week.

That’s a stark contrast to the scene just over two months ago when anxious consumers amassed large amounts of water and dry goods days ahead of Tropical Storm Iselle, which turned out to be mostly uneventful on Oahu.

"It’s not really panic, but you wait until Thursday … they’re going to be rushing the stores," said Mayor Wright housing resident Maryann Ricarte, 65, who has a pantry full of food. "Everybody I think is waiting. They’re too relaxed because they feel like every time they say (something is) going to happen, it doesn’t happen. One of these days they’re going to get caught in something. I just don’t want to be caught in a situation where I’m not ready."

Many residents still have stock left over from the last storm, said Scott Ankrom, assistant general manager at Costco.

"It’s not crazy like it was the last time when people were coming in buying flat beds and pallets of water, but it’s a very steady busy," he said. "If you look at everybody’s cart, it’s not overflowing with water or batteries. They’re coming in doing their basic shopping."

Ankrom, whose Iwilei store at least quadrupled weekly sales before Iselle hit in August, said he expects business to pick up as the latest storm gets closer this weekend.

"We’re pretty well stocked up," he said. "We don’t have an influx of containers and containers of water, but we do have water coming in slowly but surely, and plenty of rice, Spam and dry goods."

Lowe’s in Iwilei had piles of water, charcoal, toilet paper and other storm supplies near its entrance for consumers to grab and go.

But business was "not crazy yet," said store manager Sly Renard, adding that the retailer has ordered extra supplies of water, plywood and tape to ensure it can meet the needs of its customers.

"We have a lot of foot traffic in the store," he said. "It’s about the same as with the last scare, but the good news this time is we’re much better positioned to help the community."

Honolulu resident Mike Lieber, who was shopping at Foodland on South Beretania Street, said the crowds are "pretty mellow" so far this week.

Makiki resident Roy Cortez, 32, who was also at the grocery store, said he spent about $80 prepping for the storm that is expected to hit Oahu this weekend, compared to $180 he spent before Iselle.

"I have some (food and supplies) at home already. We just bought more just in case," he said. "I always try to be prepared."

Aaron Tui, 26, was at Lowe’s buying 5-gallon gas cans, buckets and a trash bin — the last of his hurricane supplies.

"Even before rush, right now I’m going to go fill up gas," Tui said. "I’m not panicked at all. We mostly have our things ready."

Pearl City resident Casey Kaohi, 34, was at Lowe’s preparing for a storm for the first time.

"I’m ill-prepared," she said after lugging three cases of water into her shopping cart. "This is about all I have on my hurricane preparedness kit. I have canned goods at home, maybe I’ll pick up a little bit here and there. This is the first time I’m actually making an effort because I think this is the one that’s actually going to hit us. We’ve had so many near misses, we’re due for one."