It’s never too late to be prepared

June 4, 2018

With storm season upon us, we want to make sure that you and your ohana are prepared by familiarizing yourself with emergency situations.

The Hawaiian Islands sit in the middle of storm tracks in the Pacific Ocean. Hurricane season typically runs from June 1st through November 30th. Ranging from tropical depression to full blown hurricanes, they are also known to appear outside their normal seasonal window.

On June 1, the Hawaiian Electric Companies launched an updated Handbook for Emergency Preparedness.

Our handbook was completely redesigned and organized to help you find important information quickly. It features updated information and includes different ways to utilize new technologies. Some of our handbook highlights include:

• Additional sections to help you organize your family’s important information such as emergency contacts and evacuation and communication plans
• Recommendations from official sources such as the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and the Department of Emergency Management
• A new minimum 14-day emergency food supply recommended for each individual, which is aligned with HI-EMA’s recommendation
• Updated recipes that require little to no cooking
• Additional safety recommendations for rooftop solar systems

Our companies work in close partnership with their respective county Civil Defense agencies and Emergency Management Departments to ensure that correct, timely, and helpful information on the status of electric utility operations during emergencies is conveyed to the public.

One of the most vital steps in preparing for an emergency is having a communication and evacuation plan for your family. An effective way to communicate to your network and stay safe is by utilizing social media to share information quickly and using text messages, which uses less bandwidth. Make sure your family is aware of safe shelter options, evacuation routes, and how to reconnect if you become separated.

This season, pick up your own copy of our Handbook for Emergency Preparedness or download it from our website at https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/prepare. It offers valuable tips and resources to protect you and your loved ones.