Hawaii residents are being urged to build a medication stockpile before storm season disruptions hit, a practical warning for anyone who depends on daily prescriptions.

• Keep a one- to two-week supply of medications on hand, matching the standard advice for food and water; three to five days works if that is not possible.
• Insulin, blood pressure pills, and blood thinners matter most — running out is dangerous. Ozempic-type drugs and cholesterol pills can wait a few days.
• Refill early if you are running low, but do not stockpile unnecessarily — a rush of requests clogs pharmacies and hurts people with urgent needs.
• Insurance emergency refill overrides usually only kick in once a storm looks likely to hit Hawaii directly.
• If the power goes out, do not toss refrigerated medicine — keep the fridge closed, avoid direct ice in coolers, and check with a pharmacist first.

Outlook: With hurricanes usually giving a few days' warning, people who prepare now avoid the pharmacy crush later.