Hawaii House Bill HR30

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/10/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Passed: 3/29/22

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency To Develop A Preliminary Draft Evacuation Plan For The Areas Within Lava Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, And 6.

Impact

The resolution calls for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work collaboratively with the County of Hawaii to develop this evacuation plan promptly. Notable concerns were raised regarding previous staffing issues within the agency, which have hindered its ability to respond adequately to such critical requests. This evacuation strategy is especially pressing given the dangers highlighted by officials regarding possible eruptions and the lack of an established evacuation protocol in place. The resolution also underscores the need for the agency to prioritize disaster preparedness, considering other emergency management challenges it has faced in recent years.

Summary

H.R. No. 30 is a House Resolution from the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii that focuses on the urgent need for a preliminary draft evacuation plan for areas at risk of volcanic activity, specifically those within lava zones 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. The resolution highlights the unique danger posed by Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, as well as the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea which threatens numerous communities and significant ecological sites. Recognizing the historical context of eruptions and their potential impact, the resolution underlines the necessity for an updated and actionable evacuation framework to safeguard residents in these vulnerable regions.

Contention

Key stakeholders may debate the effectiveness and feasibility of proposing an evacuation system for lava zones, particularly in light of the agency’s staffing challenges. Some critics may argue about the potential inadequacies of the proposed plan, given Hawaii’s historical experiences with emergencies. The success of the evacuation plan will depend on the agency's ability to overcome these logistical barriers and to ensure that resources are channelled into creating a robust response mechanism for the anticipated volcanic threats.