When supplies of water, canned goods and batteries are depleted at the island’s largest retailers, it’s a pretty good indication that Kauaians are taking even the slightest threat of a hurricane seriously. While the latest forecasts mostly place Kaua‘i out
When supplies of water, canned goods and batteries are depleted at the island’s largest retailers, it’s a pretty good indication that Kauaians are taking even the slightest threat of a hurricane seriously.
While the latest forecasts mostly place Kaua‘i out of Flossie’s reach, the preceding uncertainty was demonstrated at stores and gas stations, which experienced long lines and empty shelves.
“We had our own hurricane,” Costco Membership Manager Kimberly Rendon said of Monday’s rush.
Rendon said Costco sold out of C and D batteries and power generators, and supplies of bottled water and toilet paper were limited.
Down the road, the Costco gas station was emptied of all but premium until a tanker arrived to refuel yesterday afternoon. Still, many gas stations around the island shut down pumps as drivers filled their tanks.
Parking lots and checkout lanes were noticeably less frenetic yesterday, though, and many stores turned their attention to restocking.
But the ability to match inventory with the high demand experienced leading up to a disaster largely depends on continued on-time, off-island shipments for many local businesses.
Yesterday, Young Brothers, the main inter-island cargo shipper, announced that it would adjust its sailing schedule for a few days, pending hurricane status. Departures out of Honolulu yesterday to Hilo, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i, as well as departures from Maui, were postponed due to the weather.
As of last night, Young Brothers spokeswoman Lynette Lo Tum said shipments to and from Nawiliwili had not been affected. The company’s Kaua‘i staff were expected to meet early this morning to reassess.
“Everybody is just playing it by ear,” Lo Tum said.
While perishable cargo, containers and autos are tentatively scheduled to be received tomorrow on-island, the company asked that all livestock shipments be rescheduled to next week.
The National Weather Service yesterday issued a high surf advisory expected to last through 6 p.m. today.
Increasing tradewinds continued to build surf on Kaua‘i’s east-facing shores, with waves 6 to 8 feet tall.
The residents most likely to make lemonade from lemons: surfers.
According to the manager at Tamba Surf Co., Paul Quereto, the Kapa‘a store was crawling with surfers yesterday who were eager to take advantage of the inclement weather.
Quereto noted that the swells yesterday weren’t particularly huge, but there were waves everywhere — and the closer the storm gets to the island, the better the surf, he said.
“I’m hoping that it’ll get bigger,” Quereto said of the surf. “As soon as the shop closes, I’m heading straight to Kealia.”
