HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR040319KEMATHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREKS. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mT MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
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News Release
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2019
KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
Tel (808) 241-1800
Fax (808) 241-1860
April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaii
LIHUE — Kaua`i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) and other emergency
management agencies across the state are promoting public awareness and preparedness in
recognition of April being Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaii.
"It is a good time for residents and visitors to review Kaua`i's tsunami evacuation zones,"
said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. "This information can be found on the county website,
http://www.kauai.gov/kema, phone directories, and is supported by signage installed along our
highways and coastal roads."
Evacuation zones were updated in 2016 to include an "Extreme Tsunami Evacuation
Zone" that is based on recent scientific studies relating to an extremely rare yet potentially
devastating Great Aleutian Tsunami.
"Tsunami preparedness starts with knowledge and awareness of the threats they pose.
Ideally, all of us should be aware of the evacuation zones and how they relate to where we live,
work, play and commute, along with identifying possible evacuation routes for any locations
within the zones," said KEMA Administrator Elton Ushio.
During the month, KEMA will be hosting deliveries of various courses that will help to
improve and enhance the skillsets of county, state, federal and non -governmental emergency
management partners, including:
• AWR-217 Tsunami Awareness
• ICS 300, Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) for Expanding Incidents
• ICS 400, Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff
• WebEOC emergency management software training
In addition, new outdoor warning sirens were activated and tested as part of the April 1
statewide siren test, and formal acceptance testing of these will occur on April 17 and 18.
New coverage areas are provided by sirens at Kealia Kai and Oma`o Park, while new,
upgraded legacy siren replacements include Wailua Homesteads Park, Waipouli Waikaea
Canal, Kaumakani Neighborhood Center and Kekaha Gardens.
For more information, please visit the KEMA website or call 241-1800.