HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230316KEMA.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 16, 2023
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
Full-scale, Multi-Agency Search And Rescue Exercise set for March 23
LĪHU‘E – In partnership with the United States Coast Guard, the County of Kaua‘i will participate
in a full-scale, Multi-Agency Search And Rescue Exercise (SAREX) at the Kukui‘ula Small Boat Harbor and
the surrounding area on Thursday, March 23, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We are grateful to the participating agencies for dedicating their time and expertise in this
multi-agency exercise,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Mahalo to our partners with the U.S. Coast
Guard, our county first responders and officials, and everyone involved for your efforts that will better
prepare our island and people during unforeseen events.”
Participating in the exercise include the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Kaua‘i Emergency
Management Agency (KEMA), Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD), Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD), Ocean
Safety Bureau (OSB), Civil Air Patrol, and Kaua‘i Search and Rescue (KSAR.
“The Coast Guard and other Federal, State, County, and local partners coordinate Search and
Rescue exercises throughout the Hawaiian Islands, which are designed opportunities to practice
interagency operations, communication procedures, and overall coordination,” said Charles Turner,
command duty officer, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Additionally, these full-scale exercises allow us to
evaluate notification and response procedures between agencies, strengthening our interoperability
during actual search and rescue incidents. The Coast Guard and our partners have recently responded to
several major search and rescue missions on the Island of Kaua‘i. These exercises are significant training
opportunities and ensure we continue to operate as well as possible together as a team of responders in
serving the people and County of Kaua‘i.”
Officials ask for the public’s cooperation by staying clear of any noticeable or marked areas and
exercise-related vehicles, equipment, and personnel. Training will be conducted near the Kukui‘ula Small
Boat Harbor and the surrounding area.
“The exercise aims to ensure that Kaua‘i’s first responders, federal partners, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) will be fully prepared and well-coordinated for search and rescue
operations,” said Kaua‘i Emergency Management Administrator Elton Ushio.
For more information about the exercise, please contact KEMA at 808-241-1800 or
KEMA@kauai.gov.
Photo caption: Chief Petty Officer Timothy Elhajj, the officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i,
speaks during an asset open house between local partners on Kaua‘i, Aug. 11, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard
photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew West/Released)
Chief Petty Officer Timothy Elhajj, officer in charge, Coast Guard Station Kauai, speaks with a member of the
Kaua‘i Police Department during a search and rescue exercise at Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i, Aug. 11, 2021. The
exercise simulated a search for an overdue kayaker and was held by the Coast Guard and County of Kaua‘i.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew West/Released)
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