There's no question: Hurricane season is here.

Thankfully, the National Weather Service yesterday downgraded Hurricane Cosme — our first of the season — to a tropical storm.

Still, it's a reminder that as an island community, preparation is our best defense.

In recent years we've been extremely fortunate. We've managed to go more than a decade without a major hurricane.

Few, however, will forget the fury of the last one to hit the islands. Hurricane Iniki — the most powerful hurricane to hit Hawai'i in more than a century — struck Kaua'i in 1992, with sustained winds of more than 130 mph, killing three and injuring nearly 100 more. It caused nearly $3 billion in property damage, with parts of O'ahu also hit hard.

And while the number of storms this season is expected to be slightly below average, all it takes is one.

With the lessons of Katrina behind us, Gov. Linda Lingle at the start of the season wisely urged the public to have their own supplies on hand.

"... It's important to share with the public that if there is a serious hurricane that hits us, it may take government awhile to get to them, so that they need to have their own supplies," she said, adding that the state would need to focus on those most in need, such as hospitalized patients, senior citizens and those with special needs.

As this storm skirts the Islands, now's the time to take stock. The American Red Cross-Hawai'i State Chapter suggests: