HONOLULU (KHON2) - Businesses and residents are already preparing for Hurricane Olivia.
On Oahu, residents were stocking up on supplies Friday morning at City Mill.
KHON2 spoke with longtime employee Frank Suster. "I usually arrive at 5:30 a.m., and we don't open until 7 a.m., and there were already a few cars in the parking lot. So there is some concern," he said.
Suster said tarps, WaterBOB or an emergency drinking water storage, and generators went fast when Hurricane Lane was approaching.
"We sold out virtually of all flashlights, batteries, tarps, plywood, and propane," he said.
He says that in the three days Lane was approaching, City Mill sold several million dollars worth of merchandise.
On Friday, the store almost fully stocked again, but already running low on charcoal grills and generators.
"This time we doubled the order, a [shipping] container can only hold so much. We have eight City Mills on island, so containers are coming in. We had three more come in today, so our goal is to have them all out to stores by Monday," Suster said.
Grocery stores are preparing too. KTA Super Stores president says Hawaii island residents are no stranger to preparing for the worst, but there are certain items that always go fast.
"Water, non-perishable canned goods went first. Toiletries, toilet paper and stuff went pretty quick," Toby Taniguchi, president of KTA Super Stores said.
He tells KHON2 that he didn't see any hoarding at his stores, therefore, not many items were returned.
Customers should keep in mind that stores have different return policies especially when it comes to water and generators.
"Water, we hesitate [with returning] because people will buy water, take it, and leave it in the sun then it becomes contaminated. I mean everyone drinks water, might as well keep it," Suster said.
Stores are also suggesting customers hang on to their purchases for their hurricane kits because hurricane season isn't over.
