Kauai officials warn of above-normal hurricane season, urge readiness
Kauai households were told to stock 14 days of supplies before June 1, as NOAA forecast a 70% chance of an above-normal Central Pacific hurricane season.
Kauai officials urged households to stock two weeks of supplies now, warning that the Central Pacific hurricane season opens June 1 with a stronger-than-usual outlook and no room for last-minute scrambling.
NOAA’s 2026 forecast called for a 70% chance of an above-normal season in the Central Pacific, with 5 to 13 named storms expected, compared with a normal season of four to five. The outlook also gave a 20% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The Central Pacific basin covers the area north of the equator between 140°W and the International Date Line, and forecasters said the setup this year was shaped largely by an expected strong El Niño, with the outlook resembling the active 2015 season that produced record-breaking tropical cyclone activity in the region.
Kauai Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio said households, businesses and visitors should prepare now instead of waiting until a storm was already approaching. He said one storm could still have an islandwide impact, even in a season that ends up producing fewer systems than expected. The county’s readiness checklist was specific: at least 14 days of non-perishable food, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, prescription medications, waterproof storage for important documents, cash in small bills, and supplies for keiki, kūpuna, pets and people with access and functional needs.
Officials also pushed residents to understand the difference between a watch and a warning before an emergency begins. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center issues a watch when hurricane or tropical-storm-force winds are possible within 48 hours, and a warning when those winds are expected within 36 hours. National Weather Service guidance says tropical cyclone advisories are issued at least every six hours, at 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. HST, and every three hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect.
The message came as Hawaii marked Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 24 to 30, with Gov. Josh Green highlighting statewide preparedness efforts and county emergency management leaders from Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island emphasizing planning and coordination. The National Weather Service says the “two weeks ready” standard fits emergency planning across the islands, and for Kauai that means securing food, water and evacuation information before June 1 rather than after the first advisory is issued.
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