Gallagher will be replacing Keri Russell who left in October for a job with another non-profit.  However, Gallagher states that he is not looking to make any major changes, but to build on what Russell has already accomplished.  Gallagher will be working closely with the Kauai Red Cross Advisory Council and local government and community groups to respond to disasters and to recruit and train volunteers. 

Hawaii Kai Strong, a disaster readiness group made up of volunteers, that hosts free Disaster Preparedness workshops every 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., meeting at Koko Head District Park, 423 Kaumakani Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825.  April's topic was tsunami preparedness, presented by the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in preparation of Tsunami Awareness Month. 

Hawaii Kai Strong works closely with the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Emergency Management and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA, formerly State Civil Defense), using the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP).

For more information call Matt Glei at (808) 222-1715 or visit the group's Facebook page: Hawaii Kai Strong.  For full details, view this message on the web.

  

Governor David Ige signed a supplemental emergency proclamation on March 2, 2015. The supplemental proclamation extends the emergency period for the lava flow that threatens the Puna district on Hawaii Island until December 31.

 

"The state stands ready to support Hawaii County in its response to the lava flow," said Gov. Ige. "This extension of the emergency proclamation aids current monitoring and response and recovery efforts. The lava isn't going to just go away and we need to work together to ensure the community's health and safety."

 

The extension suspends certain laws as needed for emergency purposes. A copy of the proclamation text can be found at http://www.scd.hawaii.gov/Proclamations.htm.

A request to expand the Presidential Disaster Declaration to include debris removal and permanent work to repair eligible government and private non-profit infrastructure damaged by the lava flow was submitted in early February.

  

Keep these tips in mind and be ready the next time the lights go out.

1. Follow energy conservation measures to reduce electricity usage, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
2. Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer.  Leave about an inch of space inside each one to account for expansion.  Chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
3. Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem.  If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
4. Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. 
5. Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it.  Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help in lifting it.
6. Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.

 

  Information is from The National Preparedness Community E-Newsletter

DCAB is looking for volunteers to help with this year's Makani Pahili.  Makani Pahili is Hawaiian for "strong winds" and is an annual high profile exercise that improves Hawaii's hurricane preparedness as we approach hurricane season which runs from June 1st - November 30th.  The exercise includes a simulation of a major hurricane that causes significant damage and loss of life.  This simulation is used to evaluate warning, evacuation, and sheltering capabilities; validate response and recovery plans; and raise public awareness of hurricane-related risks. 

 

The simulation will run on June 6th, and DCAB is looking for volunteers with various disabilities to drive to different points of distribution (POD) to assess and rate their accessibility.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please e-mail Debbie Jackson at debbra.jackson@doh.hawaii.gov.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), formerly known as State Civil Defense, is asking the public to keep an eye out for vandals at Outdoor Siren Warning System sites.

March 11th's early morning siren sounding at Kahe Point was related to an act of vandalism. "The technicians that work on the siren system are identifiable by their official vehicles," explained Doug Mayne, Administrator of HI-EMA. "Please call 9-1-1 if you suspect an unauthorized person of tampering with a siren."

Technicians will be marking siren parts with orange paint in an effort to mitigate additional acts of vandalism. If you know of someone in possession of siren parts for personal use, please alert local authorities. Sirens are considered a warning device under Hawaii Revised Statute 127A-29. Anyone who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes damage to a siren may be fined the cost of replacement of the siren and/or imprisoned up to one year.

The Statewide Outdoor Siren Warning System is a crucial part of the state's emergency warning capability and operates to alert Hawaii residents and visitors of an approaching hazard. HI-EMA encourages the public to make use of other methods of warning including, but not limited to, text notification systems and NOAA Weather Radio.