Hawaii is bracing for stormy weather as the Red Cross gets its volunteers ready and pushes residents to prepare now.

• The American Red Cross is putting volunteers through refresher training so they can respond fast when the storm hits.
• Residents are being told to finish emergency kits and set up family communication plans right away.
• People in remote areas should check on neighbors and stay in touch, since help may be harder to reach.
• Officials point to state and county resources for staying informed during the storm.
• The Hawaii Red Cross is also short on help and asking for new volunteers and donations.

Outlook: Expect stormy conditions soon, with response teams and residents both racing to be ready before it arrives.