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What We Do

Disaster Preparedness

Preparedness is the responsibility of our entire community. We want everyone to be familiar with the risks we face and feel empowered to take a step forward to prepare for disasters.

The Challenges We Face

Hawaiʻi is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards, such as flash floods, fires, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, lava flows, extreme winds and more. In addition to these, there are other risks to account for, such as global pandemics or economic downturns, that could put our ʻohana in similarly precarious conditions.

Risks and hazards are just one ingredient in the recipe for disasters. Some of the other factors at play include Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living, our dependence on imported foods, and our remote geography. Understanding these risks is a crucial part of disaster preparedness in Hawaiʻi, ensuring that our communities are well-equipped to handle potential emergencies.

Geography

Hawaiʻi faces unique challenges to receiving outside aid and relief following a disaster due to its remote geography in the pacific. Over 95% of all supplies that come to Hawaiʻi arrive on ships, which typically take between six and 10 days to arrive from the coast of California.

Dependence on imported foods

It is estimated that Hawaiʻi imports over 80% of its food in a ”just-in-time economy.” This means that any lasting disruptions of regular shipping could lead to severe food scarcity for our islands

Cost of Living

The high cost of living in Hawaiʻi makes it hard for families to regularly afford consistent supplies of safe, nutritious and sufficient food — let alone store a two-week supply of emergency food.

Collectively, these challenges place added responsibility on us, as a whole, to prepare ourselves for 14 days without external assistance. This is no small task. Our approach to disaster preparedness in Hawaiʻi emphasizes community involvement and collective resilience.

The Kākou Approach

In a disaster, you, your ʻohana and your community are your first and best help. Taking a few proactive steps to prepare can go a long way in helping you and your family survive and recover from a disaster.

How You Can Prepare Your ʻOhana

Every ʻohana that is prepared to survive on its own during a disaster helps the whole community by allowing help to go to those who need it most. Preparedness looks different for every person and every household, but everyone can do something to start their journey to being disaster prepared.
Strive to be Two-Weeks Ready

Hawaiʻi emergency managers recommend storing a 14-day emergency supply of food, water and medicine for each member of your ʻohana. That’s a lot! While 14-days’ worth of food is a good target, any extra food you can store is a great step towards being disaster prepared.

Download our Emergency Food Supply Tips to learn more and get started.

Get Informed

One great way to help ensure the safety and well-being of you and your ʻohana is to be well-informed and make a disaster plan. Here are some great free resources for learning about the risks we face and how to start creating a disaster plan for your ʻohana.

Support Hawaiʻi Foodbank Disaster Preparedness and Response

Your contribution to disaster preparedness in Hawaiʻi, whether through volunteering skills or supporting with donations, is invaluable in fortifying our community against unforeseen disasters.

Emergency Relief Fund

When disaster strikes, Hawaiʻi Foodbank is on the ground and ready to provide food assistance and emergency supplies. Your donation can help ensure we are always ready.

Donate Online

You’re Essential!

Do you have skills that may be useful during a disaster (e.g. HAM radio licensing, emergency shelter training, volunteer leadership, accounting, etc.)? We can use your help!

Volunteer With Us