The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) plans for and responds to both natural and human-caused emergencies. These include emergencies resulting from all hazards, from tsunamis, wildfires, and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.  The agency prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities.

HI-EMA is the coordinating agency on emergencies of all kinds between federal and local agencies, including the four county emergency management agencies – Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Maui Emergency Management Agency, City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, and Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

After an incident, HI-EMA conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. The agency maintains a primary Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu.  HI-EMA also operates State Warning Point, a state emergency communications center staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week.  The center maintains statewide communications with county emergency officials and other partners.