Emergency Management

Hawaiian Electric News Release: Monitoring Tropical Storm Nolo

For Immediate Release

Hawaiian Electric is monitoring Tropical Storm Nolo, preparing for probable impact

Company is maintaining a 24-hour watch on the storm’s path.
Customers can help minimize outages by proactively preparing their homes.

HONOLULU, Sept. 24, 2026 — With the approach of Tropical Storm Nolo and probable impact to the state starting later today, Hawaiian Electric is proactively preparing to respond.

Crews are positioned across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, and Maui County to respond to storm damage. Customers are advised to trim trees near service lines, clear loose yard debris, and prepare emergency kits and backup power if needed.

For additional safety tips and updates, visit hawaiianelectric.com/stormcenter.

Emergency Management Program

Stay Informed & Alerts

During a large-scale emergency, the Emergency Operations Center activates communication channels to provide critical instructions and minimize impact.

Alert System	Description	Access / Contact
Installation Operations Center	Direct contact for installation emergencies and operations.	(808) 787-3277
ALERT System	Primary mass warning system targeting phones and computers (texts, calls, emails, pop-ups). Family members can be added to profiles.	DISA Self-Registration
Giant Voice System	Secondary mass warning indoor/outdoor speaker system on USAG Hawaii installations.	Automatic on-post
HNL Alert	City & County of Honolulu targeted notification system for specific addresses and events.	honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert
Social Media	Official USAG Hawaii updates.	Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
My Army Post App (MAPA)	Mobile app delivering installation news, alerts, and resources.	Available on the App Store & Google Play
Tenant Commands	Agency telephone alerting and recalls.	Managed by your unit / office

Reporting Outages & Maintenance

Outages and facility issues increase during severe weather. Reporting quickly helps response teams track impacts and prioritize repairs.

Life-safety emergencies: Always call 911 first for hazards to life, health, or safety.

Department	Phone	Online Portal
Immediate Life-Safety Hazards	911	—
Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Government facilities	(808) 787-1275	ARMA Online Work Orders
Island Palm Communities (IPC) On-post housing	(808) 457-4075	Online Maintenance Request (Routine)

Use DPW/ARMA for government facilities or IPC channels for on-post housing. For immediate hazards to life, health, or safety, call 911.

Local Hazards & Preparedness

Local Hazards

Click any hazard below to expand details, alert levels, and required actions specific to Hawaiʻi.

Hurricane Season (June – November)

In Hawaiʻi, hurricane season runs from June through November. Know your closest safe havens before a storm hits.

Category	Details
Off-Post Shelters	Community shelters available for residents and families. Used during and after a storm.
On-Post Safe Havens / Shelters	Military installation facilities for service members and families. Available facilities are communicated through ALERTS, social media, and MAPA.
Important Notice	Shelters and safe havens are NOT available until officially opened by the Hawaiʻi Department of Emergency Management (off post) or the Garrison Commander (on post).

Be InformedMake a PlanBuild a KitGet Involved

Tsunamis

A tsunami is a series of incredibly long waves caused by a large, sudden displacement of the ocean — usually from an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Hawaiʻi sits within the "Ring of Fire," making tsunamis a significant threat.

Key Characteristics

Feature	Description
Series of Waves	A "wave train," not a single wave. The first wave is often not the largest; later waves can be bigger and arrive minutes to hours apart.
Speed	In deep ocean, tsunamis travel over 500 mph — the speed of a jet plane.
Inland Reach	Acts like a fast-rising tide or "wall of water" that can flood inland for hundreds of yards or miles.
Receding Water	Ocean may recede dramatically, exposing the sea floor — a natural warning to move to high ground immediately.

Tsunami Alert Levels

Alert Level	Meaning	Required Action
Watch	A distant earthquake occurred; tsunami may reach Hawaiʻi.	Be Prepared. Stay tuned to radio/TV and ALERT updates.
Advisory	Strong currents or dangerous waves expected.	Stay out of the water. Move away from beaches and harbors.
Warning	A dangerous tsunami is imminent or occurring.	Evacuate Immediately. Move to high ground or inland outside evacuation zones.

Evacuation & Safe Zones

Evacuation Zones: Areas at risk of flooding during a tsunami.
Vertical Evacuation: In urban areas like Honolulu, the 4th floor or higher of a reinforced concrete building is a safe alternative if you cannot move inland in time.
Oʻahu Resources: Use the Oʻahu Tsunami Evacuation Map to identify if your home or workplace is in a danger zone.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the sudden shaking of Earth's surface caused by the release of energy in the lithosphere. In Hawaiʻi, earthquakes can occur from tectonic plate movement or volcanic activity on neighboring islands.

Type	Cause	Description
Tectonic	Plate Movement	Caused by Earth's crustal plates shifting.
Volcanic	Magma Movement	Caused by underground movement of molten rock; often a warning of an impending eruption (e.g., Kīlauea, Mauna Loa).
Aftershocks	Adjustments	Smaller earthquakes following the main event — can continue for days, weeks, or months.

Flooding

Types of Flooding in Hawaiʻi

Type	Cause	Characteristics
Flash Flooding	Heavy Rainfall	Occurs within minutes or hours of excessive rainfall. Common in valleys where water rushes down mountain slopes.
Coastal Flooding	Storm Surge / High Tides	Heavy surf, tropical storms, or "King Tides" pushing ocean water onto inland roads and properties.
Urban Flooding	Drainage Overflow	Heavy rain overwhelms man-made drainage systems — common in developed housing and industrial areas.

"Turn Around, Don't Drown" — Never walk or drive through floodwaters.

6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
12 inches can sweep away a small car.
2 feet can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.

Flood Alert Levels

Alert Level	Meaning	Required Action
Watch	Conditions favorable for flooding.	Be Prepared. Monitor weather and be ready to move to higher ground.
Advisory	Flooding could cause significant inconvenience.	Stay Aware. Use caution driving; avoid low-lying areas.
Warning	Flooding is imminent or occurring.	Take Action. Move to higher ground immediately.

Wildfire

Wildfires are a significant and growing threat in Hawaiʻi due to changing weather patterns, invasive grasses, and drought. Driven by trade winds, they can move incredibly fast and threaten housing areas, training ranges, and critical infrastructure.

Wildfire Dynamics in Hawaiʻi

Factor	Impact
Trade Winds	Can push a small fire across hundreds of acres in minutes.
Topography	Fire travels faster uphill; steep ridges create "chimney effects" that intensify heat.
Human Activity	Over 90% of Hawaiʻi wildfires are human-caused (sparks, campfires, cigarettes).

Immediate Actions if a Fire is Nearby

Step	Action
1. Report It	Call 911 immediately. Provide the nearest landmark or training-range number.
2. Evacuate Early	Don't wait for an official order if you feel threatened. Leave before smoke makes visibility impossible.
3. Prepare the Home	Close all windows and doors. Turn off AC units to stop smoke from being pulled inside.
4. Communication	Check the ALERT system and official USAG Hawaii social media for evacuation routes and shelter locations.

"Firewise" Preparedness (Before a Fire)

Clear Debris: Remove dry leaves, branches, and trash from around buildings and gutters.
Hydration: Keep a garden hose connected and ready.
Go-Bag: Keep your emergency kit easily accessible for sudden evacuation.

Beach & Ocean Conditions

Check daily conditions, surf height, and hazards before heading to the beach.

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Practical tools to help Soldiers, Families, Civilians, and Contractors prepare for hazards in Hawaiʻi. Remember the four steps to preparedness.

Be Informed Make a Plan Build a Kit Get Involved

Resource	Description	Website
Ready Army	The Army's proactive readiness campaign for relevant hazards — Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Get Involved.	army.mil/ready
ADPAAS	Army Disaster Personnel Accountability & Assessment System for monitoring recovery and personnel status.	adpaas.army.mil
Ready.gov	National readiness site provided by the Department of Homeland Security.	ready.gov

Make a Plan — Family Emergency Plan (print/save)

A written plan your household can keep and update.

Tip: Keep one copy in your go-kit and save a digital copy for quick access.

Four steps to preparedness

Be Informed: Know local hazards and follow official alerts.
Make a Plan: Meeting places, routes, contacts, pet care, critical documents.
Build a Kit: Enough supplies for at least 72 hours (home/vehicle/work).
Get Involved: Training and volunteering strengthen community resilience.

Ready Army (Official) Report Status (ADPAAS)

Ready Army is the U.S. Army's official emergency preparedness program: army.mil/ready

Active Threats & Official Links

Active Threats: Shelter-in-Place vs. Lockdown

Understanding the difference between Shelter-in-Place (SIP) and Lockdown is critical to your safety. Each requires distinct actions.

Shelter-in-Place (SIP)

Take temporary protection in your current structure or vehicle when a short-notice hazard makes movement unsafe. SIP is commonly used for HAZMAT releases, severe weather, and radiological or biological incidents.

Lockdown

Stop movement and get into the nearest secure room immediately.
Secure the space: lock doors/windows or barricade if locking is not possible.
Minimize your presence: lights off, blinds closed, stay low and away from doors/windows, devices silenced.
Remain silent and out of sight until authorized security forces issue the all-clear.

Official Hawaiʻi Emergency Links

External links provided for convenience; content is managed by the respective agencies.

Agency / Tool	Website
National Weather Service Hawaiʻi	weather.gov/hfo
Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)	dod.hawaii.gov/hiema
Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM)	honolulu.gov/dem
HNL Alert — Mass Notifications	honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert
Oʻahu Dam Evacuation Planning Tool	experience.arcgis.com
National Hurricane Center (Central Pacific)	nhc.noaa.gov/?cpac
U.S. Tsunami Warning Center	tsunami.gov
Hawaii Ocean Safety	oceansafety.hawaii.gov

Mālama Nā Koa! (Care for the Warriors!)