HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230403KEMA.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2023
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR
(808) 241-1800
April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawai‘i
LĪHU‘E – 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 Hawai‘i.
“A tsunami can happen anytime, with little warning. If a tsunami happens, taking the
appropriate actions is critical to your safety,” said KEMA Administrator Elton Ushio. “Everyone should
know if they’re in a tsunami evacuation zone, whether working, out and about, or at home. Review
Kaua‘i’s tsunami evacuation zones and have a plan should an evacuation be necessary.”
Hawai‘i observes Tsunami Awareness Month in April to remember the April 1, 1946, tsunami in
the Aleutian Islands. With no tsunami warning system then, the tsunami arrived unexpectedly. Since
then, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has been created and can now better advise Emergency
Management and the public of potential tsunami threats.
A banner with information regarding historical tsunami wave run-up heights is on display in the
Mo‘ikeha building and later in the Kapule building. Maps of tsunami evacuation zones and preparedness
information can be found on the county website, http://www.kauai.gov/kema.
To sign up for Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS), the county’s emergency
notification service, please go to the county’s website, www.kauai.gov and click on "Sign up for
Emergency Notifications." You may also call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-
1800.
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