HONOLULU (KHON2) — When a hurricane passes through Hawaiʻi, the danger does not end right away. Roads may be blocked, power may be out and some people may not be able to get home.
The state does not simply take over after a hurricane. Instead, Hawaiʻi uses a team approach.
- County emergency crews handle the first local response.
- The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) helps coordinate resources across the state and works with counties to understand the damage.
The state’s 2026 Emergency Operations Plan explained how this system works. Here’s what we found in it to understand what the first 24 hours can look like.
0–2 hours: Search and rescue comes first
The first job is to make sure emergency crews can safely get to people who need help. During and after a storm, rescuers may face flooding, strong winds, debris and damaged roads. Once it is safe to move, emergency crews can focus on search and rescue, evacuations and protecting lives.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard may help when it is activated since it can provide people, vehicles and other support…