Hawaii is putting more electronic water-level sensors on its dams and reservoirs, a small but useful safety win for people living downstream as more storms head toward the islands.

• The palm-sized gauges run on solar power, check water levels every second, and post the readings online within minutes.
• They are made by Hohonu, a Hawaii company whose devices are already in use in 18 other states.
• One was installed as a backup at the Wahiawa Reservoir before Hurricane Lala, and it proved its worth when the main gauge failed during the storm.
• Fourteen more are going in statewide, split between Hohonu and the University of Hawaii Sea Level Center, covering Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai.
• The sensors cannot stop a flood, but they show how fast water is rising, giving officials and residents extra warning time.

Outlook: Expect the rest of the gauges to be installed across the islands as storm season continues, with dam owners and county emergency agencies alerted the moment levels spike.