November'25
This session focused on state and local emergency preparedness efforts in Hawaii, featuring representatives from the HI-EMA and DEM.
Hawaii Emergency Preparedness: State and County Resilience Strategies
This event served as a stark reminder that Hawaii’s isolation requires a unique level of self-reliance. Speakers emphasized that preparedness must happen now, before an event occurs, by building 14-day supply kits and establishing communication plans with loved ones. By combining government coordination with community-based programs like HARP and individual training like CERT, Hawaii residents can improve their collective resilience and ensure they are ready for the state's most prevalent threats, including wildfires, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
Guest Speaker: Don (Executive Officer, HI-EMA)
Don represented HI-EMA, the statewide agency responsible for disaster preparation, response, and recovery. He highlighted several key aspects of state-level emergency management:
Mission and Hierarchy: HI-EMA operates out of a secure bunker in Diamond Head and is a division of the Hawaii State Department of Defense. The agency supports all four Hawaii counties during disasters, coordinating with federal partners like FEMA when local capacities are exceeded.
The Four Pillars: HI-EMA’s strategy is built on preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Mitigation involves hardening infrastructure, such as installing generators for water pumps, to ensure critical services remain functional after a disaster.
Hazard Assessment: Don noted that wildfires are now ranked as the top hazard for the state, followed by climate change, hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity.
Community Programs: He introduced the Hawaii Hazard Awareness and Resilience Program (HARP), which aims to help neighborhoods build networks so they can depend on one another for up to two weeks before government aid can arrive.
Warning Systems: HI-EMA manages the monthly siren tests (conducted at 11:45 a.m. on the first of the month) and is working with counties to refine wireless emergency alerts that push directly to mobile phones.
Guest Speaker: Molly Pierce (Department of Emergency Management - DEM)
Molly Pierce focused on the practical, "household-level" realities of emergency management for Oahu residents. Her presentation emphasized:
The Vulnerability of Oahu: Hawaii is isolated and highly dependent on imported goods; the island has approximately only five days of food available at any given time. Because ports and infrastructure are vulnerable, residents are urged to be "two weeks ready".
The Planning Strategy: She summarized preparedness into three actions: make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed. This includes choosing an out-of-state contact (since local lines often jam) and practicing family evacuation drills.
Sheltering and Recovery: Molly clarified that Oahu utilizes "hurricane refuge areas" (typically assessed public school buildings) rather than high-wind-rated iron boxes. For recovery, she advised residents to video their homes before and after a storm to provide evidence for insurance and federal assistance claims.
Training Opportunities: She encouraged residents to join CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), a free three-day training course that teaches first aid, fire suppression, and hazard evaluation.
Representative Gedeon facilitated the discussion and reviewed the essential items for a two-week emergency kit, which include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food (like peanut butter or canned goods), a NOAA alert radio, first aid supplies, and important documents. He confirmed that all sirens in his district are currently operational and reminded the audience that information and checklists are available at ready.hawaii.gov
