HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2692

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to disaster preparedness planning.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the leeward coast of Oahu is only accessible by way of Farrington Highway.  Any closure of the highway due to traffic accidents or other incidences can temporarily disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of commuting residents.  The legislature also finds that, if a major disaster closes the freeway for extended periods of time, a host of problems arise that directly impacts the health, safety, and welfare of several leeward communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to prepare for a major disaster on the leeward coast by requiring the director of civil defense to prepare a disaster preparedness plan for the 44th and 45th house of representatives districts.  This Act is intended to serve as a model for future expansion of the disaster preparedness plan to serve other communities in the State.

SECTION 2.  The director of civil defense shall prepare a disaster preparedness plan for the leeward coast areas of Oahu, specifically the areas included in the house of representative districts 44 and 45 which include the communities of Waianae, Makaha, Makua, Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Lualualei, and Maili.  The plan shall include strategies to address the following concerns:

      1.  The closing of roadway access to the districts with no available alternate routes;

      2.  The use of air and sea transportation services when roads are closed and the coordination of these services, especially the designation of primary and alternate air landing sites and any legal authorization needed to land on those sites;

      3.  The large homeless population living on beaches with limited resources;

      4.  The elderly, some of whom live alone, with limited access to disaster shelters and transportation services;

      5.  The growing indigent population that is suffering from the current economic downturn who rely heavily on public transportation to commute to work;

      6.  The coordination, distribution, and delivery of food, products, and services by private and public companies, organizations, and individuals to homes and communities;

      7.  An organization to serve as a community site coordinator (e.g. local civil defense volunteer team);

      8.  An inventory of existing governmental agencies, private companies, organizations, and individuals who may assist with a disaster preparedness plan;

      9.  Meetings in the community to gather input and follow-up meetings to disseminate this report; and

     10.  Any other issue necessary for a disaster preparedness plan.

SECTION 3.  The director of civil defense shall report the director's findings and recommendations, including costs to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session.

SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Disaster Preparedness Plan; Civil Defense

 

Description:

Requires the director of civil defense to prepare a disaster preparedness plan for the 44th and 45th House of Representatives districts and to report to the legislature in 2011.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.