As Hawaiians rush for supplies and hunker down as best they can while awaiting an onslaught from Hurricane Lane, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries are busy preparing to help the community stay safe, celebrate Shabbat and cope with the uncertain days ahead.

“Chabad will be open for services and meals,” said Rabbi Itchel Krasnjansky, co-director of Chabad of Hawaii, in Honolulu. “We’re here to help whomever we can, in any way possible.”

Obtaining kosher food, always difficult on the islands, may be an issue.

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Yudi Weinbaum, a local kosher caterer noted his preparations in light of Lane’s advance.

“We sent out all our orders for other islands early, so people will have what to eat on Shabbat,” he said.

“Locally, it seems we will be able to distribute this morning and send food out today. We have a backup generator, so if power is knocked out, we can keep the fridge and freezers of kosher supplies running.”

Meanwhile, in Kauai, Rabbi Michoel Goldman and his wife, Zisel, co-directors of GANI-Chabad Kauai, have been calling people they know on the island, including and especially the elderly and homebound.

“We’re praying and hoping it won’t be more than a weekend tropical storm by the time it gets here on Shabbat,” said Goldman, “but we’re working with our community to make sure everyone is prepared and has what they need.”

Despite the hurricane being downgraded to a Category 4, authorities are urging the public to take caution in advance of Hurricane Lane’s approach to Hawaii.

“We are expecting large amounts of rain, flooding and high winds,” said Hawaii Gov. David Ige. “There will be significant impacts even if the hurricane doesn’t hit us directly.”

Hurricane Lane is expected to turn north near Hawaii, battering the islands with 25-foot-high waves and dumping as much as 20 inches of rain down.

Conditions will continue on the Big Island into Friday, spreading across the rest of the islands through the weekend.

Last year, Category 5 Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, killing hundreds and causing more than $90 billion in damage.

Chabad of Puerto Rico, co-directed by Rabbi Mendel and Rachel Zarchi, chartered planes filled with food, water, medical items and cleaning supplies following Maria.

Their efforts were part of a slew of assistance in various forms from Chabad emissaries in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean during last year’s hurricane season.

Rabbi Mendel Krasnjansky, co-director of Chabad of Maui, where the hurricane is expected to pass by on Friday afternoon, has spent his time preparing the community.

“We are reaching out to locals and have been receiving calls from stranded tourists about what to do. We’ve given advice about preparation, safely storing things—but on top of all necessary preparations, we’re trying to give emotional and spiritual support. There is a G‑d who’s watching over us and listening to our prayers.