By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) — As Oʻahu prepares for the potential impact of a third Kona low storm in the last three weeks, the City and County of Honolulu is moving into full readiness mode, applying lessons learned from the previous two storms to strengthen response efforts and protect residents.
City officials emphasized that while recovery continues in hard-hit communities, including Waialua, Haleʻiwa, Kahuku, and Lāʻie, preparations for another possible storm are already underway across all departments.
The City is on full alert and implementing enhanced island-wide monitoring, placing additional personnel in high-risk areas to provide real-time situational awareness and enable faster responses.
The Department of Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center will be fully activated beginning Wednesday, April 8, to coordinate operations across Oʻahu.
“We said after the last two storms that we would learn from them and do better, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “We are on high alert, fully mobilized, and deploying teams across Oʻahu to keep people safe. You will see more personnel in the field, faster response, and stronger coordination across all agencies. Our message to the public is simple: be prepared, stay informed, and do not wait to act if you feel unsafe.”
First responders and City personnel will be pre-deployed to areas known to be vulnerable to flooding and storm impacts, allowing for quicker response if conditions worsen.
The City is also closely monitoring dams, streams, and waterways in coordination with state and federal partners to ensure continuous oversight as conditions evolve.
Across all first responder agencies, operations are being expanded and aligned to ensure a strong, unified response:
- Honolulu Police Department (HPD) will maintain full patrol staffing, with additional personnel deployed around the clock to support field operations. A forward command post will be established in Wahiawā to support operations in Waialua and Haleʻiwa, with officers pre-positioned for evacuations, traffic control, and public safety. HPD is coordinating with state and federal partners, including the Hawaiʻi National Guard and the U.S. Army, to stage specialized vehicles and personnel across the island.
- Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) has initiated advanced coordination with partner agencies and is preparing to activate its Department Operations Center. Additional rescue crews are being staged, with contingency plans in place to support command, logistics, and field operations as conditions change.
- Honolulu Emergency Services Department (EMS and CORE) is expanding to 24-hour operations, increasing staffing levels, and adding ambulances to support island-wide coverage. Specialized assets, including a high-water rescue vehicle and a mass casualty unit, are ready for deployment, with resources pre-positioned to ensure rapid response across all communities.
- Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) will maintain lifeguard tower operations during the day, with continuous monitoring of ocean and weather conditions. Mobile response units equipped with rescue watercraft, ATVs, and other equipment will be deployed island-wide, with personnel and equipment pre-staged overnight to ensure immediate response capability.
State and federal partners are also prepared to support response operations. High-water vehicles from the Hawaiʻi National Guard are being strategically positioned across Oʻahu to enable rapid deployment into flooded or hard-to-reach areas. These vehicles are capable of navigating deep water and will support evacuation, rescue, and recovery operations when access is limited. The U.S. Army has also made personnel, vehicles, and specialized equipment available to further strengthen response capabilities if conditions escalate.
State Sheriff’s deputies will assist HPD with 24-hour security at evacuation shelters, while DOCARE officers will support field operations in areas where access, safety, and coordination are critical. Together, these coordinated resources significantly expand the City’s ability to respond quickly and effectively across the island.
City officials are urging residents to take this storm seriously and prepare now, especially those in previously impacted areas where saturated ground conditions increase the risk of renewed flooding.
Residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 only for life-threatening emergencies. For non-emergency concerns, residents should use HNL311 via the mobile app or online at hnl.info/hnl311.
The City will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve and encourages residents to remain vigilant in the days ahead.
Emergency preparedness resources:
- Honolulu Department of Emergency Management: www.honolulu.gov/dem
- National Weather Service Honolulu: www.weather.gov/hfo
- Ocean Safety Division beach conditions: www.oceansafety.honolulu.gov
Residents are encouraged to stay connected through HNL Alert by visiting www.hnlalert.gov or by texting HNLALERT to 888-777 to receive urgent emergency notifications directly to their phones.
For more information on storm preps and recovery, visit oneoahu.org.