Project Impact - Hawaii

Project Impact brings communities together to take actions that prepare for and protect themselves against natural disasters in a collaborative effort.

Mitigation Activities:

1. Identify and build partnerships with local businesses and agencies;
2. Complete a hazard mitigation survey and plan for the entire island;
3. Conduct a community disaster education and preparedness program;
4. Enhance the island-wide communication and warning system; and
5. Complete an energy management program.

Hawaii County Planning Department

The County of Hawaii has adopted the 1991 Uniform Building Code (UBC). These codes are the government's official statement on building safety. Properly designing or retrofitting your home to comply with the most recent UBC, helps to protect your home or business.

State Civil Defense

Responsibility of all disasters or major crisis in the State of Hawaii begins at the county level. As the disaster or crisis develops, the State Civil Defense System provides the operational infrastructure and procedures to apply additional resources to meet the demands of the emergency from all appropriate levels of government.

Mitigation Activities:

1. Local adoption of Seismic Zone 4 Building Code Upgrad
2. Securing propane tanks at essential facilities against seismic hazards
3. Hardening of the Pepekeo radio facility which provides the sole source of radio communications for emergency situations such as major disasters.
4. Retrofit the Hilo Central Fire Station against seismic hazards.
5. Public Awareness Program - Videotape on Volcanic and Seismic Hazards
6. Breathing Protection for school students, teachers, and staff against VOG and LAZE

Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes

The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) is located on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and operates out of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. CSAV is a training and outreach program established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1989.

Mitigation Activities:

1. Conducts public symposiums at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to discuss impacts of natural hazards, mitigation measures, and policy/warning systems.
2. Plans symposia for teachers for credit.
3. Conducts presentations to 4th and 6th grade classes and community associations on earthquake preparedness.
4. Producing a 20 minute videotape about volcanic and seismic hazards affecting the island of Hawaii, and how homeowners can protect their homes and themselves. The videotape was distributed to community associations, public and private schools libraries, county offices, and video stores.

Department of Transportation, Highways Division

The Highways Division will address guardrail and shoulder improvements on state highways. They will design rockfall protection on the Hawaii Belt Road in Maula, Lapahoehoe and Kaawalii. They will also conduct a seismic retrofit of various bridges.