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Hawaii Braces For Lane, A Category 4 Hurricane

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Hawaii is bracing for the arrival of a Category 4 hurricane. President Trump has signed a disaster declaration for the state. And officials there say they're preparing for the worst as Hurricane Lane approaches, winds expected topping 140 miles per hour. NPR's Adrian Florido reports from Honolulu.

ADRIAN FLORIDO, BYLINE: The National Weather Service predicts that Lane's center will pass over or very near Hawaii's main islands, beginning today with the Big Island in the south then moving north to Maui, Oahu and beyond. Governor David Ige said the effects would be severe.

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DAVID IGE: We still are expecting wind, rain, flooding that would affect statewide. You know, we want to assure you that federal, state and county emergency responders are working in coordination to keep the community safe.

FLORIDO: The governor announced the closure of some highways, all public schools and ordered ships docked at ports to head out to sea.

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IGE: This is because harbors are our lifeline to essential food and products. And we don't want a vessel being sunk in the harbor, which would limit access for important shipments that we need to receive.

FLORIDO: Across the state, many residents are heeding recommendations to stock two weeks' worth of supplies. Grocery stores have been packed, and some gas stations have had long lines. Hawaii has a history of near-misses with hurricanes. And because of that, officials here fear some residents may not be taking this storm seriously. Davelle Finau of Oahu says she's not really preparing.

DAVELLE FINAU: Filling up tank and stuff - where are you going to go with a full tank of gas? It's a small island. You're just going to go up the mountain and come right back down.

FLORIDO: And while some tourists have headed home early, others, like David and Sidney Padilla from California who were tanning on Waikiki Beach, said they'll probably ride the storm out.

DAVID PADILLA: No, we really don't have any plans, man, to be honest with you. We don't even know if we're supposed to head to, like, the airport, stay back, what (laughter).

SIDNEY PADILLA: Yeah. We got mattresses to put against the wall - you know what I mean? - if it really hits that bad (laughter).

FLORIDO: Like against the windows...

D. PADILLA: Yeah...

S. PADILLA: Yeah, yeah - so if the wind comes or the storm (laughter).

FLORIDO: By Wednesday night, that wind had begun to arrive on Hawaii's Big Island - along with rain and some flooding that officials expect to get much worse the closer that Hurricane Lane gets.

Adrian Florido, NPR News, Honolulu. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Adrian Florido
Adrian Florido is a national correspondent for NPR covering race and identity in America.
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