Things to Know
No matter where you travel, it’s smart to keep an eye on things and know what’s going on around you.

RECREATIONAL SAFETY TIPS

Ocean Water Safety

Freshwater Swimming & Drinking Water Sources

Hiking

Mountain Climbing

Rockslides

Flash Floods

Fresh Water

PERSONAL SAFETY
Many visitors to Hawaii are so happy to be here, so entranced by the beauty and hospitality, they tend to let their guard down and do things they would not do at home. Visitors need to be as security-conscious as they are at home. This means:

• Do not leave anything of value unattended or in plain sight in your car, anywhere, especially on the beach, in restaurants or lobbies. Lock them in your trunk if you must carry them before arriving at the destination.

• Better yet, leave valuable or important items at your hotel’s safe, if one’s available, in your room safe.

• Carry most of your money in travelers checks and very little cash. Travelers checks are replaceable, cash is not.

CIVIL DEFENSE WARNINGS

NATURAL DISASTERS

Tsunami (Tidal Wave)

Hurricane

CIVIL DEFENSE WARNINGS
• The state Civil Defense has developed a warning system to alert the public of an emergency. If you hear the Civil Defense sirens (a steady siren tone for 3 minutes, repeated as necessary), listen to your radio for emergency information and instructions broadcast by Civil Defense. Take necessary action. Note: Civil Defense sirens are routinely tested at 11:45 a.m. on the first working day of each month.

• Watches and warnings are prepared for the Hawaiian Islands by the National Weather Service Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. When watches and warnings are issued, people should closely monitor radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins of the event’s progress and instructions from civil defense authorities.

TSUNAMI (Tidal Wave):
• A tsunami is a series of destructive ocean waves affecting all shorelines. Tsunamis can occur at beaches and low lying coastal areas. The State of Hawaii has developed a warning system to advise the public if a tsunami is coming. NEVER GO DOWN TO THE SHORE to watch for a tsunami. If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it. Never try to surf a tsunami; tsunami’s do not curl or break like surfing waves.

• Hawaii’s telephone book has outlined all coastal areas that are subject to flooding in the event of a tsunami. Hawaii State Civil Defense provides an early warning system through the use of “Watches and Warnings” with Statewide notification by sirens.

• A watch is issued when possibility of a destructive tsunami arises.

• A warning is issued when a destructive tsunami is approaching the Hawaiian Islands. For Tsunami's generated outside of Hawaii, but approaching the Hawaiian islands, sirens will sound at least 3 hours before the first wave arrival.

• If a warning is issued and you are in Waikiki, Oahu, you should approach the nearest steel or concrete structure and ascend 6 stories or greater.

• If you are in a coastal zone area on the islands of Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, you should move inland to higher ground.

• Do not voluntarily evacuate when a tsunami watch is announced. Listen to the radio for further developments and instructions issued through the Emergency Alert System. You can also turn on your TV for more information. Stay out of the threatened areas until an official “All Clear” signal is issued.

• A strong earthquake in the Hawaiian Islands may generate a local tsunami. If you feel the ground shake, head inland for higher ground.

For more information visit: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc

HURRICANE or SEVERE WINDSTORM:
Tropical Storms and hurricanes rarely enter Hawaiian waters, but Hawaii’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The last major hurricane to hit Hawaii was Iniki, which severely damaged Kauai in September 1992.

• A hurricane can be described as high winds, heavy rain, flooding, and high surf.

• The Hawaii State Civil Defense provides an early warning system through the use of “Watches and Warnings” with statewide notification by sirens:

• A “watch” indicates that hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified areas, usually within 36 hours.

• A “warning” indicates that a hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified areas, usually within 24 hours.

• Follow the instructions issued by your hotel or by the Emergency Alert System.

For more information visit: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/pages/pr5.php