GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $200,000 TO ENHANCE EMERGENCY BROADCASTS FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2008
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released two $100,000 grants-in-aid to KZOO and KNDI radio stations to assist with the implementation of recommendations issued by the Governor’s Comprehensive Communications Review Committee (GCCRC) convened by Governor Lingle following the October 15, 2006, Kīholo Bay earthquakes.
The stations will use the funds to install emergency generators that will increase their ability to provide timely emergency messages to non-English speaking residents and visitors in the state during a natural disaster or other emergency. KZOO (1210 AM) is able to broadcast messages in Japanese, while KNDI (1270 AM) can provide emergency instructions in eleven languages to people in Hawai‘i who do not speak or understand English.
“Access to timely and accurate information is a key component of protecting public safety during an emergency,” said Governor Lingle. “These grants will help to ensure that language is not a barrier in the event of a crisis, and enhance our overall disaster preparedness efforts.”
“This is a great opportunity for the Japanese language community that relies on KZOO for vital news and information related to their daily lives,” said Robyn Furuya, general manager, Radio Station KZOO. “KZOO has served the Japanese community in Hawai‘i for the past 45 years, therefore we feel a deep commitment to our listeners to be able to provide timely information in an emergency situation. The generator will enable KZOO to continue broadcasting to the Japanese residents and tourists in the State of Hawai‘i in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. We would like to thank Governor Lingle, State Civil Defense and the members of the GCCRC for their help in securing this grant,” Furuya added.
Members of the Comprehensive Communications Review Committee included more than 100 government officials from state, county and federal agencies; owners, general managers and publishers from print, broadcast, radio and Internet media statewide; representatives from telecommunications providers; and editors and reporters who were ‘on the ground’ gathering information and reporting on the day of the earthquake.
The committee filed its final report of recommendations to Governor Lingle in October 2007.
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For more information, contact:
Maj. Gen. Robert Lee
State Adjutant General
Phone: (808) 672-1202
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
