HIEMA History

REPAREDNESS IS THE WORD By Fred C. Pugarelli State Civil Defense maintains a vigorous program of preparing government agencies and the public to survive any natural or military disaster that may occur. "As long-time residents know," CD officials state, "Hawaii...

Anthrax scare. Shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, new fears gripped the country as anthrax outbreaks turned up along the East Coast and Florida. Contamination spread through New York television networks, Washington D.C. congressional...

National Communications System (NACOM) NACOM-ll radio antenna at Birkheimer. (Picture from the 1963 Annual Report) 1960's Radio equipment for the National Communications System 2 (NACOM-Il) was received from the Federal government in the Spring of 1962 and space was allocated...

Teams deployed in Maui County to assess private property damage from 'Kona Low' storm Teams deployed in Maui County to assess private property damage from 'Kona Low' storm (Picture from the 2022 Spring Pupukahi) HONOLULU – Teams of state, county...

When A Sleeping Giant Awakened, HI-DOD Stepped Up To Assist Story by Jill Matsumoto | HI-EMA | December 21, 2022 When A Sleeping Giant Awakened, HI-DOD Stepped Up To Assist (Picture from the 2022 Winter Pūpūkahi) On November 27, 2022,...

1960's Also 71 more CD sirens for enemy attack and tidal wave warnings were purchased and are being installed throughout the Islands: 13 for Oahu, 12 for Hawaii, 21 for Kauai, and 25 for Maui county including 20 for the...

READY TO GO – Lt. Gov. James R. Aiona Jr., Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, the adjutant general and State Civil Defense director, and Edward T. Teixeira, SCD vice director, prepare to “recon” the March Kauai flood damage from the...

The Civil Defense Advisory Council, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor with three members from Oahu and one member each from the other three counties, advises the Governor and the Civil Defense Director in matters pertaining to civil defense. - 1961...

Formed in 1999, the committee of senior level government, military and business leaders meets regularly to share information on terrorism preparedness. The committee has been instrumental in the development of critical infrastructure protection plans, threat protection conditions and measures, and...

Tsunami Program. Several important projects were completed in 2002. Local tsunami modeling for development of forecasting tools and installation of coastal recorders for damaging wave detection were completed this year. A tsunami safety brochure was also published for distribution to...

Established in 2000, the purpose of this committee was to develop a State Lava Flow Mitigation Plan to reduce the risk of lava flows affecting life and property. State Civil Defense published this plan in November 2002. - 2003 Annual...

The forum provides guidance for the State Hazard Mitigation Program. The program undertakes projects and activities to help increase disaster resistance via construction and retrofit projects and community awareness initiatives. The forum is also actively involved in developing risk assessment...