HONOLULU -- It has been one of the weakest links in Hawaii response to disaster, but now state officials said the airport system is ready.

Until recently, the policy of Hawaii airports was there was no point in investing in hurricane preparations because they are so rare. However, after embarrassing and scary mistakes of the past, the state now proclaims the airports are ready.

After a natural disaster on Oahu, with power out and roads damaged, the tourist population would need evacuation.

"The plan would be to move those visitors to the airport as we get those flights in to get them off the island," state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert said.

Is the airport able? During the 2006 earthquake-related blackout, Honolulu International Airport was flooded with tourists, but there was no back-up power to get flights out. There was inadequate food, water, medical care and sanitation.

The new emergency generators have been topped off and tested, officials said.

"We are very confident that we are going to be able to address whatever might happen," state Department of Transportation Director Brennan Morioka said.

Five generators are being rented. The long-term plan is for the airport to have its own 10-megawatt power plant. That is at least a year and a half away.

The generators would provide 65 percent of the airport usual electrical need. Power priorities include jet ways, fuel pumps, computers and security, but not air conditioning.

"We will be able to operate as a fully functional airport," Morioka said.

The state added new portable medical units, cross-trained safety personnel and emergency food and water.

There is also new coordination with hotels, where officials hope tourists will stay until their flights are confirmed.

"Definitely won't be 'Everybody go to the airport.' Now, it has to be systematically done," Wienert said.