Kokua Line
Kokua Line
The large number of ships that were in port recently during RimPac made me wonder what would happen if a tsunami threatened the Navy. What's the Navy's plan for the ships and personnel at Pearl Harbor in the event a tsunami warning is generated? What are the plans for Ford Island once a large community is built there? Pearl Harbor’s location
lessens tsunami threatThe shape and location of the entrance to Pearl Harbor and its proximity to the opening in the channel reef would reduce or greatly minimize any tsunami threat within the Pearl Harbor Naval complex, says Lt. Cmdr. Rod Gibbons, Pearl Harbor spokesman. The state Civil Defense estimates that the water level within Pearl Harbor should not rise more than four feet if hit by a tsunami. At that level, the water is not expected to do more than creep up the beach a little more than at full-moon tide.
Once the commander of the naval base is warned by the Tsunami Warning Center of an earthquake and possible tsunami activity, designated area commanders would make a decision to evacuate the base or send ships to sea based on the estimated arrival and size of the tsunami, Gibbons said. Evacuation of Ford Island would be either to high ground toward the middle of the island or off the island via the bridge. Ford Island is not as low as it appears. Height above the mean high-tide level is about 20 feet toward the middle of the island.
Gibbons said as the Navy moves closer to construction on Ford Island, "we will evaluate the type of construction, designate buildings where personnel could go in the event of an emergency, and re-evaluate the time it would take to move people from Ford Island to main side."
Tsunami warning is the function of the state of Hawaii, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the International Tsunami Information Center. The Navy follows guidance provided by these agencies to develop its plan of action, Gibbons said.
What was the number and address to buy a T-shirt to restore an Ewa Plantation home? I think you are referring to the Friends for Ewa fund-raising project to help restore the Ewa Plantation Manager's Mansion, the centerpiece of the historic Ewa area. Each shirt sold will have a number. The drawing will be Dec. 6. The winner will get a shot at a four-bedroom, two-bath house. T-shirts are $12 and $15 for XX-large and XXX-large. Call 681-3284 or 681-4300.
To the two young gentlemen and all the emergency personnel who graciously assisted us in the 7:30 a.m. car accident at Kapiolani and Atkinson on July 29. May God richly bless and keep you always. -- Grateful Mahalo
To Ben who drives the Wahiawa Heights bus. I lost my coin purse on his bus, and he was nice enough to return it to me. From a grateful senior. -- Joan Mahalo
The Aina Haina public library will be closed Monday while asbestos is being removed as part of a reroofing project. The back parking lot also will remain closed until early October. The book drops will remain open while the library is closed. Customers should anticipate a little noise during this time. Library closure alert
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