No neighbors to lean on.
On the mainland, when a storm takes down the grid, power gets routed in from the next state over. Hawaii has no next state over. Here is what that means for your house.
2026 has already tested us.
The March Kona Low flooded neighborhoods and knocked out power to over one hundred thousand homes across the islands. In August, Hurricane Lala was worse: Hawaiian Electric reported roughly 197,000 customers without power at the peak, with tens of thousands more on Kauaʻi, and the state warned residents days later to prepare for the next system while crews were still working.
Two major outage events in six months is not bad luck. It is the pattern now.
Figures as reported by Hawaiian Electric and state agencies during the August 2026 event.
Water, food, medicine... and power.
After Lala, the most common thing we heard in the store was some version of "I thought I had more time." Refrigerators full of spoiled food. Phones dying with no way to reach family. Medical devices without a plan.
The families who came through it comfortably had power stored at home before the watch was issued.
That is why Battery Bill's carries the top lines of solar generators, Anker SOLIX, EcoFlow, and Jackery, in stock on island, so being ready looks like this:
A power station sized to your real needs
Top-line units from Anker SOLIX, EcoFlow, and Jackery for the fridge, phones, fans, and any medical equipment. See what's in stock →
Solar panels to recharge it
When the outage outlasts the battery, the Hawaii sun takes over.
Whole-home backup
The Anker SOLIX E10 takes over automatically, running live in our Kalihi showroom. See it →
Fresh flashlight and radio batteries
Checked before the season, not during the warning.
Before, during, and after: where to look.
Bookmark this section. These are the official sources we use ourselves, in the order you'll need them.
- Make the family plan: ready.gov/plan
- Download Hawaiian Electric's Emergency Preparedness Handbook (free, multiple languages)
- Run their quick emergency checklist: 14 days of water, food, and meds
- State guidance and shelters: Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
- Charge your backup power and test it. If you don't have any yet, come see us before the watch is issued.
- Track the system: National Weather Service Honolulu and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
- Check and report outages: Hawaiian Electric outage map
- Stay away from downed lines, and run any fuel generator outside only, well away from windows
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed; food keeps far longer sealed
- Emergencies: 911. Crisis support: call or text 988
- Restoration updates and estimated times: Hawaiian Electric
- County alerts and recovery notices: sign up via HIEMA / Ready Hawaiʻi
- When power returns, reconnect sensitive electronics gradually
- Restock the kit while it's fresh: batteries, water, and whatever ran out
- Bring dead or storm-damaged batteries to us for recycling drop-off
The Battery Bill's storm kit checklist
Check things off as you go. Based on Hawaiian Electric and HIEMA guidance: plan to be on your own for up to 14 days.
Live storm reports
NOAA's Central Pacific outlook, updates automatically. Anything orange or red near the islands is worth watching.
- Central Pacific Hurricane Center: active storms, advisories, and the 7-day outlook
- Zoom Earth: live satellite, rain radar, and storm tracks with animation
- National Weather Service Honolulu: current watches and warnings for every island
- Hawaiian Electric outage map: live outages and restoration estimates
- HIEMA: state emergency updates and shelter openings
- Tsunami.gov: official tsunami alerts
What Lala looked like, as reported
- KHON2: 250,000 customers lose power as Lala passes; restoration begins
- Hawaiian Electric: crews restore nearly 180,000 customers while assessing damage by helicopter
- KHON2: outages knock out cell, internet, and cable statewide
- KHON2: Oʻahu and Maui restored; parts of Hawaiʻi Island take up to two weeks
Hawaii's battery people since 1982.
Battery Bill's is in Kalihi and Hilo, with backup power in stock on island. Come in before the next watch and we'll help you build a plan that fits your home and your budget, honestly.