Manoa residents got a free chance to prepare for hurricanes, floods, and power outages — a positive step for a neighborhood that could be cut off when disaster strikes.

• Emergency agencies and experts gathered at the fair to show residents how big storms and outages could hit the valley.
• Officials warned that first responders will be slow to arrive in a real emergency because they will be busy reopening ports and airports to bring in supplies.
• That means neighbors will need to take care of each other in the first hours or days.
• Be Ready Manoa is handing out walkie-talkies through its "Coconut Wireless" program so residents can still communicate if cell service goes down.

Outlook: Community groups will keep pushing island neighborhoods to stock up and organize now, before the next hurricane season tests them.