Being prepared for disaster is important. When disaster strikes, you may not have ample time to respond and ensure the resources you and your family need to survive are available. Moreover, hundreds of other families in your area share the same concerns, and it will be difficult to get access to the necessities you need due to shortages and competition. Do not wait until the last minute and get caught in this situation. Disaster-time civilian response requires sound decision-making and action to save the lives of families and friends.
When determining your emergency needs, plan for the long haul. In any major disaster scenario, it may take 72 hours or more for emergency personnel to reach you. Emergency preparedness kits should contain the essentials your family needs to survive during a disaster. Having two is ideal; a multi-purpose kit that with provisions for more activities for the home, and a transportable slimmed down kit with bare necessities for survival when on the go. Any preparations should be accompanied by an emergency plan. Know where your family is and how to keep in contact in the event of a disaster. Most of all keep informed. Find out what disasters you may be affected by and plan accordingly. Determine and manage your emergency needs as required.
Recommendations for Disaster Preparedness Kit
When preparing a disaster preparedness kit, first plan for the essentials for survival. Think practical first, and think comfortable second. All essential needs should be able to fit in a 5 gallon bucket. Absolute necessities include food, water, and warmth. Foodstuffs should be high energy non-perishables and kept in sealed air-tight containers. Made-ready meals and canned goods are excellent choices for emergency food sources. It is safe to ration, the body can be maintained on half of your average caloric intake during an emergency. Provisions should include enough food supplies to last three days for each family member. more...
Have a Plan
Ready.gov Family Emergency Plan 
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient. - Family Emergency Plan
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance. more...
If Disaster Strikes
If you are instructed to take shelter immediately, do so at once.
If you are instructed to evacuate:
- Listen to the radio or television for the location of emergency shelters
and for other instructions from local emergency officials. - Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Take your disaster supplies kit.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities and don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
Contact Information
Department of Civil Defense Division, State of Hawaii
3949 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 733-4301
City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management
650 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 723-8960
Kauai County Civil Defense Agency
Suite 100, 3990 Kaana Street
Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
(808) 241-1800
Maui County Civil Defense Agency
200 South High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793-2155
(808) 270-7285
Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency
920 Ululani St.
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-0031, (808) 935-3311 (after hours)
Miscellaneous Resources
Agencies such as the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or (phone: 716-878-2353) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov/library/) have brochures to help you develop a family emergency plan. You can also visit the local Red Cross at 4155 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816-4417. Your community group or neighborhood association might also want to consider establishing a phone tree or email list to relay important information.
Ready.gov
Ready America, Educating and empowering Americans to prepare for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.
FirstGov .gov
Home page of the US Government's Official Web Portal for all government transactions, services, and information.
DIsasterHelp.gov
This web site is part of the President's Disaster Management Egov Initiative - a larger initiative aimed at greatly enhancing Disaster Management on an interagency and intergovernmental basis.
NOAA Weather Radio
NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
Storm Predator
Personal weather radar display and storm tracking desktop weather application, provides near realtime imagery, forecasts, warnings, and live storm tracking.
QuakeKare.com
High quality products for your emergency preparedness needs.
TheEpicenter.com
Online store with an interesting assortment of products to compliment your emergency supply and survival kit needs.
When a WATCH has been issued:
Conditions are favorable for hazardous weather. NWS forecast offices issue watches (flash flood, tsunami, etc.) 12 to 36 hours in advance of a possible hazardous-weather or flooding event. Remain alert, make preparations, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
When a WARNING has been issued:
A hazardous event is possible, occurring, or imminent in 3 hours or less. Listen and perform instructions given by emergency management officials.
Planning GuidesPreparing for Disaster
A4600/FEMA 475 - Comprehensive Disaster Planning Guide.
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
FEMA 476 - Provides disaster preparedness information specific to people with disabilities and other special needs, including the elderly.
Food and Water in an Emergency
FEMA 477 - Information on how to select, store, and treat food and water in the event of an emergency.
Helping Children Cope With Disaster
FEMA 478 - Provides information on how to prepare children prior to disaster and how to lessen the emotional effects of disaster.
Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book
FEMA 243E - For ages 3 - 10.
What is Shelter-In-Place:
One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.)
Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place:
Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.
How to shelter-in-place (pdf)
Quick Links
Disaster Preparedness Kit Information
Special Needs Info
Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
National Incident Management System
Hazmat & WMD Training
Highlights
Hawaii State EAS PlanNational Response Framework
Hawaii Disaster Declaration History
Amateur Radio In Hawaii
Hazard Mitigation Page
Ready America.gov
Quick Links
Disaster Preparedness Kit Information
Special Needs Info
Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
National Incident Management System
Hazmat & WMD Training
Highlights
Hawaii State EAS PlanNational Response Framework
Hawaii Disaster Declaration History
Amateur Radio In Hawaii
Hazard Mitigation Page
Ready America.gov
From the Link Page of http://www.scd.hawaii.gov/preparedness.html