Hawaii
Hurricanes, tsunamis, active volcanoes, flash floods, and the deadliest wildfire in modern American history. Hawaii's isolation means supply chains break easily and help takes longer to arrive. Fourteen days of supplies is the minimum, not the recommendation.
Enter your Hawaii ZIP for live alerts, forecasts, and county-specific data.
Know your region
Hilo, Kona, Kilauea, Mauna Kea. The most volcanically active spot on Earth. The 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed over 700 homes in Leilani Estates. Lava flow zones cover much of the eastern coast. Vog (volcanic smog) degrades air quality across the island chain.
Primary hazards: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, flash floods
Lahaina, Kihei, Kahului, Haleakala. The August 2023 Lahaina fire killed 101 people, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Non-native grasses on former agricultural land burn fast in dry, windy conditions. Flash floods on the Road to Hana are frequent.
Primary hazards: wildfire, flash floods, hurricanes, drought
Honolulu, Pearl City, Kailua, Kaneohe. Over 70 percent of the state's population lives on Oahu. Tsunami evacuation zones cover dense urban areas. Waikiki floods during king tides. Hurricanes approach from the Central Pacific.
Primary hazards: tsunamis, hurricanes, flooding, coastal erosion
Your hazard profile
Each links to a full guide with during-event protocol, recovery steps, and resources specific to HI.
Hurricane Iniki (1992) devastated Kauai. Hurricane Lane (2018) dropped 50 inches of rain on the Big Island. Hawaii's island supply chain is fragile. A direct hit would cut off food, fuel, and medical supplies for days or weeks. Stock 14 days minimum.
Read the hurricanes guide →
Hawaii faces tsunami risk from earthquakes across the entire Pacific Rim. The 1946 and 1960 tsunamis killed hundreds. Warning sirens are tested monthly. If you feel a strong earthquake near the coast, move to high ground immediately.
Read the tsunamis guide →
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The 2018 eruption destroyed 700 homes. Lava flows, ashfall, toxic gas (SO2), and vog are all hazards. Keep N95 masks available.
Read the volcanic activity guide →
Hawaii's steep volcanic terrain produces intense flash floods. Streams rise 10 feet in an hour. The 2018 Kauai floods dropped 50 inches of rain in 24 hours. Never cross a flooded stream on foot.
Read the flash floods guide →
The 2023 Lahaina fire killed 101 people and destroyed an entire historic town. Non-native grasses covering former agricultural land burn fast and hot during dry winds. Fire risk is highest on leeward sides during summer.
Read the wildfires guide →
Hawaii resources
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Coordinates disaster response, manages tsunami and hurricane evacuation zones, and runs the state's emergency alert system.
USGS volcano monitoring for Hawaii. Real-time eruption updates, lava flow maps, vog forecasts, and earthquake activity near active volcanoes.
Issues tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific basin. Based in Ewa Beach, Oahu. Warning sirens are tested on the first business day of each month.
Forecasts for all Hawaiian islands. Hurricane advisories, flash flood warnings, surf advisories, and trade wind forecasts. Critical during Central Pacific hurricane season.
Hawaii's information and referral service. Disaster recovery resources, food assistance, housing support, and energy assistance.
August 8, 2023
On August 8, 2023, driven by winds from a passing hurricane and bone-dry conditions, a wildfire swept through the historic town of Lahaina on Maui. In a matter of hours, 101 people died and over 2,200 structures burned. It was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.
Lahaina was not a mountain community surrounded by forest. It was a coastal town. The fuel was non-native grasses on abandoned agricultural land and the dry, windy conditions that accompany summer trade wind disruptions. Many residents had no warning. Power lines were down. Cell service failed. Evacuation routes were blocked.
For every Hawaii household, the Lahaina fire changed the conversation. Wildfire is now on the hazard list alongside hurricanes and tsunamis. Defensible space, a go-bag, multiple evacuation routes, and a communication plan that does not depend on cell service are not optional on any island.