For many, the aloha spirit has been reduced to a brand. It’s something to be sold and
marketed to visitors who want to “live aloha” for a week before flying home. Others say
that modern distractions have left people too exhausted to show up for one another like
they used to. Generosity becomes difficult when you’re working long hours and barely
scraping by. With Hawaii’s high cost of living, continued housing crisis, and economic
uncertainty, people are stretched thin — and when your plate is already full, there’s little
room to consider the needs of others.
The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, March 2nd as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.
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By Jewel Guillermo and Bailee Chang, McKinley High School Class of 2025
Disasters can strike without warning. The devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles
destroyed 17,000 structures, left thousands homeless, and claimed 29 lives. At one point, more
than 200,000 people were forced to evacuate with little time to prepare.
Closer to home, the tragic Lahaina fire also serves as a painful reminder that Hawaii is
not immune to catastrophe. Yet despite the growing risks, most residents remain unprepared.
Hawaii’s geography makes emergency preparedness especially critical. Being located in
the Pacific Ocean, we are susceptible to food scarcity, hurricanes, flash floods, earthquakes,
severe winds, and tsunamis. The effects of global climate change exacerbate the risk of natural
disasters.
In an emergency, critical resources such as food, water, and medical aid can become
scarce, and emergency services may also be overwhelmed.
“We do try to get to you within five or six minutes, but the fire department cannot be
everywhere, every time, every second of the day,” said Carl Otsuka, fire inspector for the
Honolulu Fire Department. He said this is especially true during emergencies or natural
disasters, when blocked roads, strained resources, and power outages can delay response
times and disrupt communication.
In this situation, will you be able to care for yourself and your loved ones until help
arrives? For many, sadly, the answer is no.
“A lot of people out there think ‘I’ve never had a fire. It’s not going to happen tomorrow,’
but it could,” Otsuka warned.
The standard for emergency preparedness according to the American Red Cross is
having shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation that lasts at least 14 days. However, only
about 12% of Hawaii households meet the standard for emergency preparedness.
Many residents underestimate the risk of a disaster, possibly because Hawaii has not
faced a major hurricane since Iniki, which hit Kauai in 1992. However, those who were affected
by Iniki likely did not expect it to happen either. Do not let the time since the last disaster lull you
into a false sense of security.
The time to prepare is now, and there are valuable resources available to help.
Start by assessing your own preparedness and take inventory of resources. The
Honolulu Emergency Management Department’s website is packed with helpful information,
including a step-by-step guide to assembling your own emergency kit and plan.
As for training, the Honolulu Fire Department runs free educational programs and
presentations on fire safety, kupuna care, and community life safety. The Department of
Emergency Management also sponsors Community Emergency Response Team training,
which teaches essential disaster response skills.
Preparedness isn’t about stockpiling like doomsday preppers. It’s about having the right
resources, skills, and plan so that when disaster strikes, you can act decisively. As Otsuka put
it, preparation is key to staying calm and in control during a crisis rather than reacting
impulsively and freezing.
The devastation caused by recent natural disasters is tragic and will surely leave a
lasting scar on the hearts of affected communities. There are many lessons to be learned —
about government mismanagement, resource allocation, and leadership failures. These
discussions matter, and better policies and response strategies are needed.
But beyond the systemic issues, the one thing we can control is our own readiness.
Resources and information are available to help us prepare — but it’s up to us to make use of
them before the next crisis strikes.
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