Hawaii Tsunami & Volcano Preparedness Kit: Year-Round Guide
Hawaii is one of the most geologically active places on Earth and sits at the intersection of Pacific tsunami risk and active volcanism. Kīlauea on the Big Island is one of the world’s most continuously active volcanoes: the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption destroyed 716 homes and displaced thousands in the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens communities. Hawaii has been struck by destructive tsunamis multiple times: the 1946 Aleutian tsunami killed 159 people in Hilo; the 1960 Chilean tsunami killed 61. The state faces both locally-generated tsunamis (from Hawaii’s own volcanic earthquakes) and distant-source Pacific tsunamis from Alaska, Japan, and South America. A comprehensive Hawaii emergency preparedness kit addresses both volcano and tsunami hazards: the two primary life-safety threats unique to the islands.
Hawaii’s Unique Hazard Profile
- Tsunamis: Hawaii is the most tsunami-threatened state in the US; Hilo (Big Island) has been struck by multiple destructive tsunamis and remains highly vulnerable; all island coastal areas within tsunami inundation zones are at risk
- Volcanic eruptions and lava flows: Kīlauea is the world’s most active shield volcano; lava flow hazard zones cover large portions of the Big Island; eruptions produce lava flows, laze (lava ocean entry steam clouds), and SO₂ gas
- Vog (volcanic smog): SO₂ emissions from Kīlauea’s summit create volcanic smog (vog) that affects air quality across all Hawaiian islands, particularly during certain wind patterns; chronic vog exposure is a health concern for all Hawaii residents
- Earthquakes: Hawaii’s volcanic island chain experiences significant seismicity; the 2018 magnitude 6.9 earthquake on the Big Island triggered widespread damage and was associated with the eruption sequence
- Hurricanes: Hawaii lies in the central Pacific hurricane zone; while direct hits are relatively rare, the 1992 Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauai with Category 4 winds
- Island isolation: All Hawaiian islands are isolated by ocean; supply disruptions from port closures, shipping disruptions, or infrastructure damage affect all consumables that must be imported (approximately 85–90% of Hawaii’s food is imported)
Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness
Know Your Zone
- Hawaii has detailed tsunami inundation maps for all major islands; find yours at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) at dod.hawaii.gov/hiema
- Inundation zones are displayed as Zone 1 (highest risk, lowest elevation/closest to coast) through higher zones; know which zone your home and workplace are in
- Hilo Bay’s funnel shape amplifies incoming tsunami waves: Hilo residents in Zone 1 face the highest tsunami risk in the state
Warning Systems
- Hawaii outdoor warning sirens: Hawaii has the most extensive outdoor warning siren network in the US; sirens are tested on the first business day of each month at 11:45 AM; learn the difference between the test (steady one-minute blast) and an actual warning (wailing tone)
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Tsunami warnings push to all cell phones in the affected area automatically
- HI-EMA alerts: Sign up for text/email alerts at hawaii.gov/dod/hiema
- NOAA weather radio: Continuous broadcast of Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alerts; essential when cell networks are overloaded
Evacuation
- If in a tsunami inundation zone when sirens sound or you feel a significant earthquake: move inland and uphill immediately: do not wait for confirmation
- Know your evacuation route to high ground; practice walking it
- For distant-source tsunamis, you may have 4–8 hours of warning; for a locally-generated tsunami (earthquake on Hawaii’s fault system), you may have minutes: natural warning signs are your primary alert
Volcano & Lava Flow Preparedness
Big Island Lava Flow Hazard Zones
- The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory assigns hazard zones 1–9 based on likelihood of lava coverage; Zones 1–2 (most of the Ka’ū and Puna districts on the Big Island) are the highest risk
- If you live in Zones 1–3, research your property’s lava flow hazard; this directly affects insurability, property values, and evacuation planning
- Lava flows move at varying speeds: pahoehoe lava may advance slowly (feet per hour); channelised ‘a’ā lava can advance more rapidly; always follow Civil Defense (Hawaii County) advisories
What to Do When an Eruption Threatens Your Community
- Follow mandatory evacuation orders immediately: lava flows can accelerate and change course; no property is worth your life
- Prepare for long-term displacement: 2018 eruption displaced residents for months; prepare for a scenario where your home is inaccessible or destroyed
- Air quality masks: SO₂ gas from eruptions requires industrial-grade respiratory protection; N95 masks do NOT filter SO₂; consult with Hawaii Department of Health guidance for appropriate PPE during eruptions
- Document your property thoroughly (photos, video) before evacuation: for insurance claims
Vog (Volcanic Smog) Management for Hawaii Residents
Vog is a chronic Hawaii issue that intensifies during active eruption phases. It is particularly problematic on the Big Island’s Kona (west) side and affects all islands depending on wind patterns:
- Vog composition: SO₂ plus particulate matter (PM2.5); SO₂ is an irritant that affects the respiratory system and is particularly dangerous for people with asthma, heart disease, or respiratory conditions
- Air purifiers: True HEPA filters capture PM2.5 from vog; activated carbon filters absorb some SO₂; a combination HEPA + carbon purifier in the bedroom provides meaningful protection during high-vog periods
- Masks for vog: N95 masks filter PM2.5 from vog but do NOT filter SO₂ gas; for outdoor protection during high-vog days, N95s reduce particulate exposure; they cannot protect against the gas component: limit outdoor activity during severe vog events
- Monitor vog levels: Hawaii DOH air quality website and the Vog Measurement and Prediction (VMAP) project provide real-time vog monitoring
Island Isolation Preparedness
Hawaii’s supply chain isolation creates unique preparedness requirements. The state imports approximately 90% of its food and most consumer goods by ship. Supply disruptions can affect availability within days:
- Extended food storage: Hawaii residents should maintain 30-day food reserves as a standard practice; supply chain disruption scenarios (major hurricane, port strike, shipping crisis) can affect food availability within 1–2 weeks
- Water storage: Municipal water supply on most islands is dependent on electric pumps; power outages affect water pressure; store 14 days of water minimum
- Fuel: Hawaii has no refinery; all petroleum products are shipped in; a major shipping disruption affects fuel availability rapidly; keep vehicles fuelled above 1/2 tank as routine practice
- Local food production: Participating in community-supported agriculture (CSA), home gardens, or community gardens directly reduces dependence on imported food and builds local food resilience
Hawaii Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day × 14 days
- WaterBOB bathtub bladder × 1 (for tsunami or major storm scenarios)
- Sawyer Squeeze water filter × 1 per household
- Water purification tablets × 50
- Food: 30-day non-perishable supply (island isolation makes longer storage appropriate)
- Manual can opener × 2
- Camp stove + propane canisters × 6
- NOAA weather radio (battery/crank): for Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alerts
- Portable power station (EcoFlow Delta 2 minimum)
- Solar panels (220W+): Hawaii’s solar resource makes solar recharge practical year-round
- Portable power bank × 1 per adult
- LED flashlights × 2 + headlamps × 1 per person
- LED lanterns × 2
- True HEPA + carbon air purifier × 1 per bedroom (for vog)
- N95 masks × 30 per person (for vog PM2.5 and ash)
- Safety goggles × 2 per person
- First aid kit (comprehensive)
- All prescription medications × 30 days
- Cash ($500+)
- Waterproof document sleeve: insurance, IDs, vehicle titles, lease/deed
- USB drive with digital document scans
- Go-bag (pre-packed rucksack): for tsunami or volcanic eruption evacuation
- Tsunami zone map for your island: printed copy at home
- Lava flow hazard zone map (Big Island residents): know your zone
Recommended Products for Hawaii Preparedness
Midland ER310 Emergency Hand Crank Weather Radio
The NOAA weather radio is the most critical preparedness item for Hawaii tsunami alerts. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), based in Honolulu, broadcasts tsunami warnings via NOAA weather radio within minutes of triggering seismic events. The Midland ER310 receives all NOAA alerts, operates without grid power via solar or hand-crank, and provides SAME county-specific programming: important for receiving alerts specific to your Hawaiian island. During a major Pacific tsunami-generating earthquake (Alaska, Japan, South America), NOAA radio will issue Hawaii warnings hours before wave arrival; during a locally-generated earthquake, warnings may be nearly simultaneous: the radio’s standby alert function wakes you even from sleep.
- Receives Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alerts via NOAA
- Solar + crank powered; operates without grid electricity
- SAME island-specific programming; wakes from sleep on warnings
EcoFlow Delta 2 + 220W Solar Panel Combo
Hawaii has among the highest solar irradiance in the US: an ideal environment for solar-powered emergency backup. The EcoFlow Delta 2 (1,024Wh) paired with a 220W solar panel provides near-continuous renewable power through daily solar cycling in Hawaii’s consistent sunshine. This system handles phone charging, LED lighting, fans, CPAP, and laptop through any grid outage, with the solar panel fully recharging the Delta 2 in 3–4 hours of direct sunlight. For the island isolation scenario (extended supply chain disruption), renewable solar power eliminates dependence on fuel resupply that may be disrupted. Hawaii’s 30% solar tax credit (state) plus federal ITC makes this system particularly cost-effective for Hawaii residents.
- 1,024Wh Delta 2 + 220W solar; fully recharges in 3-4 hours Hawaii sun
- Near-continuous renewable power; no fuel resupply dependency
- Hawaii’s solar tax credits improve economics for this system
Hawaii Emergency Preparedness FAQ
What should I do when Hawaii’s monthly siren test happens vs. a real warning?
Hawaii’s outdoor warning sirens are tested on the first business day of each month at 11:45 AM with a steady (non-wailing) one-minute blast: this is the only scheduled siren test. A real emergency warning uses a wailing (rising and falling) tone rather than a steady tone; additionally, real warnings are almost certainly not happening at exactly 11:45 AM on the first business day of the month. If you hear sirens at any unexpected time, or wailing sirens at any time: (1) immediately check your phone for Wireless Emergency Alerts; (2) turn on TV or radio for official information; (3) if you are in a tsunami inundation zone and cannot confirm it’s a test: evacuate to high ground immediately; it’s better to evacuate unnecessarily than to wait and be wrong. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will not issue an actual emergency warning at the scheduled monthly test time.
Is lava flow insurance available in Hawaii?
Lava flow coverage has historically been difficult to obtain in Hawaii, particularly for properties in high-hazard zones (Zones 1–2 on the Big Island). After the 2018 Kīlauea eruption destroyed hundreds of homes, most standard homeowners’ insurance policies did not cover lava flow damage: lava flow is typically classified as an earth movement exclusion. Some specialty insurers and surplus lines carriers offer lava flow coverage for Big Island properties in Zones 1–3, but premiums are very high. Properties in Zones 1–2 may be uninsurable for lava flow through standard carriers. Consult with an independent insurance agent who specialises in Hawaii high-hazard property. If you are purchasing property on the Big Island, understand the lava hazard zone of the property and its insurance implications before buying.