In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, government agencies in Hawai'i have given needed attention to shortcomings in our own ability to survive a similar catastrophe.

The gaps in preparedness are significant — inadequate shelter space and a siren network and communications systems in dire need of an upgrade. But the biggest gap lies beyond the control of any government agency: individual responsibility.

As a whole, Hawai'i residents have assumed very little of the preparedness burden. As Advertiser writer Mike Leidemann writes in today's paper, few have taken even cursory steps toward protecting their homes and many of those precautions can be accomplished at little expense.

Considering the physical isolation of these islands that could leave us fending for ourselves for days following a Katrina-class hurricane — this is particularly distressing news.

Only about 1 percent of all homeowners have set aside pre-cut pieces of plywood that can be bolted into place over windows at the approach of a storm; simply taping windows, experts say, is ineffective. And homes that face the greatest risk in a storm — older, single-wall construction houses — represent more than half of the state's single-family dwellings. Fewer than one in 10 of those have the high-wind strap-down system that help guard against hurricane damage.

The state is doing its part to encourage homeowners to "harden" their own homes with structural improvements by authorizing reimbursement grants to cover those costs; the program is still being set up.

The state set aside $2 million for each of the next two years to be divided among five initiatives: retrofitting of public storm shelters, improvements to sirens, upgrades in the tsunami maps, added staffing to keep state civil defense operating on a 24-7 schedule and public education programs.

Public education is perhaps the most crucial element here.

Far too many of us fail to take emergency preparedness seriously until our hearts race with anxiety after hurricane warnings are issued. Just watch how many descend on the stores for supplies at the last minute.

With the lesson of Katrina under our belts, let's not wait until the 11th hour. It's essential for all families to set aside what they'll need to carry them through at least a week of isolation. Even if everyone makes a small degree of progress (noting which shelter would serve them, stashing water jugs, stockpiling what food and supplies they can afford), the collective effort will lighten the load on first responders who also are attending to their own families.

The bottom line: Individual responsibility will go a long way toward helping government respond more efficiently to the onslaught of needs that comes with any major disaster.