Hawaii Senate Bill SR67

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25
• Report Pass: 3/31/25
• Passed: 4/1/25

Caption

Urging The County Of Maui, In Conjunction With The Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, And Department Of Defense, To Conduct Real-time Wildfire And Other Disaster Drills Involving The Maui Community.

Impact

The implementation of the drills as proposed in SR67 is expected to improve public awareness of emergency protocols and foster a sense of community ownership in disaster preparedness. By engaging residents in all phases of the preparation, execution, and evaluation of these drills, the legislation aims to create a well-informed population that is better equipped to respond effectively during actual emergencies. The community's involvement is expected to reveal critical insights and gaps in existing emergency protocols, ultimately leading to enhanced disaster management through continuous improvement practices.

Summary

Senate Resolution 67 urges the County of Maui, along with key state agencies such as the Maui Emergency Management Agency and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, to conduct real-time wildfire and disaster drills involving the local community. The bill highlights the crucial need for comprehensive emergency preparedness measures in response to the increasing frequency of natural disasters, particularly wildfires, affecting Maui and the broader state of Hawaii. The resolution advocates for practical, community-focused training that integrates both local residents and emergency personnel to enhance the effectiveness of disaster response strategies.

Contention

While the resolution primarily focuses on enhancing disaster preparedness on Maui, there may be concerns regarding resource allocation and the feasibility of conducting such drills effectively. There may also be discussions around the sufficiency of existing training programs and whether additional measures are necessary for comprehensive community readiness. The collaboration among various stakeholders, including local businesses, schools, and community leaders as encouraged by the resolution, could also raise questions about their commitment and capability to participate in such initiatives.