LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) - While Kiko, now a tropical storm, is weakening and tracking north of the islands, some Maui residents are not taking any chances.
Many of them are still traumatized by the 2023 fires that were fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora.
The Haia ohana from Lahaina say they take storms very seriously.
“You never know. Better be safe than sorry,” said Keeven Haia. “We he five-gallon gas cans on hand already full. We he propane tanks on hand full. We he batteries on hand.”
The Lahaina community suffered greatly when Hurricane Dora passed south of the island chain.
High winds knocked down live power lines on dry brush, igniting the fire that led to 102 fatalities, thousands of structures destroyed, and a historic town erased.
Haia encourages others to always be prepared.
“Just for your guys’ safety out there, for your families,” he said. “If you can prepare yourself, then you can go and help other families, prepare them, and get them where they need to be mentally, physically, emotionally.”
Haia and his wife he seven children and say they even know their evacuation plan.
He said everyone has a to-go bag, and their important documents are easily accessible.
They he cases of water, ready-to-eat meals, battery-powered lights, and everything to survive without electricity.
One of his neighbors even has windows boarded up.
“My advice to everyone is to be ready. Don’t be complacent,” Haia said.
At Marmac Ace Hardware in Maui Lani, there is an entire section dedicated to hurricane readiness.
“It’s always good to be prepared,” said assistant manager Christopher Lawrence. “If you’re not prepared, it’s going to be kind of chaotic being in a situation, and I’m always taught to be better safe than sorry. So for us, anything that we can do to help.”
Lawrence says it is a good idea to always he supplies on hand, especially during hurricane season.
“I would always say a first-aid kit,” he said. “The other thing is batteries.”
Lawrence said other supplies that are great to he include duct tape and flashlights.
Here’s everything you should he in your emergency hurricane supply kit.
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