Requesting Each Branch Of The United States Military In The State To Provide Shelters That Can Withstand Hurricanes With Winds Of Over Two Hundred Miles-per-hour For All Of Their Active And Retired Personnel And Families Living In The State.
The resolution highlights the vulnerabilities of Hawaii's existing infrastructure, which currently lacks adequate hurricane shelters. Despite having thirty-two designated refuge areas, these locations cannot accommodate the population seeking shelter, especially during severe weather events. The resolution emphasizes that many of the 250,000 active and retired military personnel and their families live in wooden homes that are particularly susceptible to hurricane damage, thereby exacerbating the need for effective shelter solutions. Providing military-grade shelters would alleviate significant pressure on state resources during emergencies.
Senate Resolution 88 (SR88) requests that each branch of the United States military in Hawaii provide shelters capable of withstanding hurricanes that have winds exceeding two hundred miles per hour for all active and retired military personnel and their families residing in the State. The resolution arises from increasing concerns about the impact of climate change, particularly as warming seas have heightened the strength and frequency of severe hurricanes. Recent warnings indicate that the prevalence of super category five hurricanes, which can produce catastrophic damage, is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years due to shifting ocean climate patterns.
While the resolution is imperative in addressing public safety concerns, it may also stir discussions regarding the responsibilities of federal versus state resources in disaster preparedness. The proposal to have the military fund not only the construction of new shelters but also the fortification of existing homes is ambitious and could be met with budgetary constraints or pushback about the allocation of federal funds. Furthermore, debates may arise about the balance between military obligations and civilian responsibilities in protecting residential communities against natural threats.