Families on Hawaii Island are clearing store shelves and getting ready for trouble, and the mood in Hilo is fear rather than calm preparation.

• Hilo shoppers are loading up on basics late into the night — bread, milk, cereal — mainly for their kids.
• Parents say they feel scared and want to be ready for anything.
• That mix of fear and last-minute prep is showing up across the island, not just in one town.
• Late-night buying points to a threat people expect to hit soon.

Outlook: Expect more empty shelves and heavier store traffic on Hawaii Island in the next few days as families finish stocking up.