On Wednesday, October 7, Bill and the Battery Bill's team joined neighbors, emergency agencies, and first responders at the Kapilina Community Center, also known as Kapilina Hale, for its Emergency Preparedness Mini Expo.
Our message at the expo was simple: we want to help. The people at the tables around us are the ones who show up when things go wrong, and it meant a lot to stand alongside them. Here's who we met, what they do, and the free resources they shared.
Who we talked story with
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
The State of Hawaii's emergency management agency. HI-EMA coordinates disaster preparedness and response across the islands, and it's the agency that sounds the outdoor warning sirens.
What they shared:
- Natural Hazards Preparedness Wheel. Turn it to any hazard, from hurricanes and tsunamis to wildfire and drought, and it shows a simple action plan.
- Emergency Plan for the Ohana. A fill-in sheet for in-state and out-of-state contacts, meeting places, and shelters, including pet shelters. It also lists local radio stations and what each watch and warning means. Review it once a year.
- "Emergency Preparedness Starts With You." Their 2 Weeks Ready guide: build a kit for every family member, your pets, and your car, and plan to be on your own for at least two weeks. It also has a tip worth remembering: texts are more likely to get through than calls when networks are busy.
- Personal Documents Checklist. The IDs, financial papers, and medical records to copy and keep safe.
City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management
Oahu's emergency management department, and the team behind HNL Alert, the island's official notification system.
What they shared:
- How Oahu alerts work. Some alerts reach you automatically, like wireless emergency alerts on your phone, sirens, and radio and TV alerts. HNL Alert takes a quick sign up and sends more detail by text, email, or app. Text HNLALERT to 888777 for urgent alerts, or set up an account to pick your alerts and addresses.
- Educating Preparedness. Ten steps for every household: sign up for alerts, keep cash on hand, make your home safe, know your evacuation routes, practice drills, make a family and neighborhood plan, keep supplies up to date, safeguard documents, document and insure your property, and get involved in your community.
NOAA National Weather Service, Honolulu
The forecast office for the state of Hawaii, based at UH Manoa. When a tropical cyclone moves into or forms in the Central Pacific, this office runs the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
What they shared: a hurricane watch and warning card. A watch means hurricane conditions are possible, usually within 48 hours, so get ready. A warning means they're expected, usually within 36 hours, so finish preparing and follow official instructions.
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Oahu's water utility, a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu that manages the island's water system.
What they shared: their Water Emergency Preparedness sheet.
- Store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for 14 days, plus water for your pets.
- During a power outage, use water sparingly. BWS pumps need electricity to move water, so the reservoirs may be your neighborhood's only supply. Use water only for drinking and sanitation, turn off irrigation and automatic icemakers, and don't fill containers unless BWS asks.
- After the power comes back, keep conserving until the reservoirs refill. If a community runs out, BWS will work to bring in emergency water.
American Red Cross
The Hawaii chapter of the humanitarian nonprofit that helps people prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, including the home fires they answer all year.
What they shared:
- Home Fire Safety Checklist. Cooking, heaters, smoking, electrical, keiki, and smoke alarms, plus a home fire escape plan. Practice your 2-minute drill.
- Free smoke alarms. A free 30-minute home visit to go over fire safety, start an escape plan, and install smoke alarms. Call 808-739-8111 to set it up.
- Free preparedness programs, taught by certified presenters: Prepare with Pedro for kindergarten through 2nd grade, Be Red Cross Ready for adults, Hands-Only CPR (a 30-minute training, not a certification), and Ready Rating for businesses, schools, and organizations.
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
A nonprofit founded in 2000 that serves as the state's hub for wildfire prevention information and programs, including Firewise communities.
What they shared: the Wildfire and Drought Lookout card, made with fire and forestry partners across the state. Nearly all wildfires in Hawaii are started by people, mostly by accident, so most can be prevented.
- Clear vegetation 10 feet around campfires and BBQs, keep a shovel and water nearby, and put fires out cold before walking away.
- Make sure chainsaws, weed trimmers, and recreational vehicles have working spark arrestors.
- Park on pavement or cleared ground. Hot exhaust can ignite dry grass.
- Skip backyard fireworks in dry, grassy areas and enjoy public shows instead.
Hawaiian Humane Society
Oahu's animal welfare organization. Hawaiian Humane works with the City to open pet-friendly emergency shelters.
What they shared: a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit Checklist. Emergency shelters don't stock pet supplies, so pack 14 days of food and water in sealed containers, a crate or carrier your pet can stand up and turn around in, a leash and collar with ID, medications and vet records, bowls, bedding, cleaning supplies, litter, a recent photo, and a pet first aid kit. Keep your pet's microchip information up to date.
hawaiianhumane.org/disaster-ready
University of Hawaii Sea Grant
The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program publishes the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, free to every household.
What they shared: the handbook, which covers Hawaii's hazards (tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, and climate change), emergency supplies, evacuation planning, and how to strengthen your home, from roofs and windows to hurricane clips.
Hawaii Foodbank
A hunger-relief nonprofit that helps feed families across Oahu, before and after disasters.
What they shared: their Emergency Food Supply Tips.
- Aim for 14 days of food, but any extra food you can store is a great start. Look for low-cost, high-protein foods, buy shelf-stable items on sale, and save extra seasoning packets from bentos and takeout.
- Pick shelf-stable foods your ohana already eats and that don't need cooking. Their favorites: peanut butter, shelf-stable tofu, canned tuna or salmon, low-sodium beans or lentils, instant oatmeal, ramen, and rice.
- Food safety: throw out fridge food like meat, eggs, and leftovers once the power has been off for four hours or longer, and freezer food once it thaws.
- After a disaster with a FEMA declaration, you may qualify for disaster food assistance (D-SNAP). Hawaii Foodbank can help you apply. Call 808-836-3600.
Honolulu Fire Department
HFD was at the expo too. We didn't get the chance to talk story with them this time, but mahalo to HFD for everything they do to keep our communities safe, including helping the Red Cross install free smoke alarms in homes across Oahu.
Your quick checklist
- Build toward 14 days of food, water, and medicine for everyone in your home, pets included.
- Sign up for HNL Alert: text HNLALERT to 888777.
- Fill out an ohana emergency plan with an out-of-state contact and two meeting places.
- Check your smoke alarms, or call the Red Cross at 808-739-8111 for free ones.
- Keep copies of your important documents ready to grab.
- Have a battery-powered radio and a way to keep your phone charged.
Power is part of the plan
Almost every handout at the expo came back to power. HI-EMA's checklist asks for a battery-powered radio. Hawaii Foodbank says fridge food has to go after four hours without power. And even water depends on it: the Board of Water Supply's pumps need electricity to move water. This past August, when storms knocked out power around the island, parts of metro Honolulu saw low or no water pressure.
That's where we can help. Backup power keeps your phone charged for alerts, your fridge cold, and your lights, fans, and medical equipment running. Not sure what you'd need? Try our Power Calculator, read our Hawaii outage and storm prep guide, or stop by and talk to Bill.
When disaster hits, we want to be there
When an emergency hits our islands, Battery Bill's wants to be one of the first to show up, with whatever we can bring, including backup power for the people and places that need it most. That's what being part of this community means to us.
Mahalo to Kapilina Hale for hosting, and to every agency, first responder, and neighbor who came out.