December 16, 2005 - Emergency Preparedness

Last week, Hawai`i was recognized by the National Weather Service as the first state in the nation to be Tsunami Ready.  This comes as we celebrate the official end of Hawai`i’s hurricane season.

But as we are reminded by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami, we must continually strive to increase our preparedness efforts should a disaster strike. 

Our Administration is proposing a set of bills to enhance our Emergency Preparedness.  They include increasing the number of emergency shelters, making provisions for residents to bring their pets, offering incentives for homeowners to install wind resistant devises, and improving communication systems.

These initiatives, when fully implemented, will strengthen our ability to save lives and protect property in the years ahead.