The Pacific tsunami of March 11 should serve as a major wake-up call to Maui residents.

With the emergency fresh in our minds, it’s a good time to evaluate West Maui’s response to the tsunami.

We can also ask, as a community and individuals, are we ready for the next Lahaina disaster?

Soon after last month’s tsunami threat, Janis Casco of Casco Wealth Management LLC began working on a community event.

Slated for Wednesday, May 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center, this free public event will help the West Side community learn how to prepare for and survive natural disasters and emergency events.

Florence Makekau will share what happened on April 1, 1946, when a tsunami generated by a 7.1 earthquake in the Aleutian Islands killed 159 people in Hawaii.

Lahaina News Sales Manager Craig Nalette and his wife, Adrienne, will discuss what happened when Hurricane Iniki slammed Kauai.

Eyewitness accounts and survival stories about the 1946 tsunami and other devastating local events will be shared, followed by presentations from Anna Foust, Maui County Civil Defense emergency management officer; Jeff Murray, Maui County fire chief; and Archie Kalepa, Maui County Ocean Safety and Rescue officer.

The forum will be free and open to the public. For more information, call Casco at 667-5599.

How long will Maui keep dodging bullets in terms of disasters? Find out what you need to know to take care of yourself and your family during an emergency.