The forecast of a modest hurricane season in the Pacific only sounds like good news.

But be forewarned.

Predicting hurricanes is hardly an exact science, and the good news can quickly turn bad — Hawai'i residents should not greet the new hurricane season with complacency.

Hawai'i and its residents can't afford to be in a low state of preparedness.

All it takes is one hurricane to make it a bad season, said Conrad Lautenbacher, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Being ready for that one hurricane should always be top of mind during the annual season that runs from June through November.

This year, the prediction is for two to three tropical cyclones, slightly fewer than the normal four to five seen in the Pacific during hurricane season. They could turn into hurricanes. Then again, they may not.

If that doesn't exactly make you quake in your slippers, then just remember the big one: Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Iniki has always been our wake-up call, but even here it took Hurricane Katrina to really get the state effort in full gear, with a $13 million comprehensive emergency effort this year covering everything from shelters to looting to finding places for pets.

The state is getting ready — and residents should, too.

Have a personalized evacuated plan for your family. Put together a ready supply of food, water, medicine and any necessities.

It only takes one hurricane to make a bad season.