Coordination cited as key in crisis

Candidates also urge forward planning and open communication

Conventional wisdom in Hawaii goes that it's not "if" another hurricane will hit the islands, but "when."

While state government has stepped up hurricane preparedness in recent years, officials acknowledge that the federal government would play a significant role in helping the islands recover from a severe storm.

But a year after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast, a recent nationwide poll shows most Americans lack faith in the federal government's ability to deal with such emergencies.

To the candidates running to replace Ed Case in the U.S. House, coordination, communication and planning at all levels of government are the keys to weathering Hawaii's next hurricane and restoring the public's confidence.

"We need trained professionals, not political appointees, to run these important disaster-relief agencies, and we need Congress to properly fund (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Homeland Security," said attorney and marathon runner Joe Zuiker, one of 10 Democrats in the race. "Cut out the politics; people's lives are at stake. Use experts to help set funding levels."

State Sen. Clayton Hee (D, Kahuku-Kaneohe) added: "Hawaii will face serious challenges if an emergency strikes. Our geographic isolation makes those challenges even more serious than they were for New Orleans."

Comments were in response to a Star-Bulletin e-mail survey that asked: "If a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tsunami hit Hawaii, getting recovery resources (food, water, manpower for cleanup, etc.) into the state would be one of the biggest challenges. As a member of Congress, how would you work to ensure that the necessary resources would get into the state?"

While the Hawaii Legislature this year approved $9 million for emergency readiness, candidates noted that any state action plan must be coordinated with federal resources.

"Given Hawaii's location, it is imperative that we prepare adequate emergency supplies of food, water and medicine here in Hawaii," said state Sen. Gary Hooser (D, Kauai-Niihau), who said he lost his house during Hawaii's last major storm, Iniki in 1992. "We must also have a comprehensive plan with FEMA that includes the use of military transportation to bring emergency equipment and services to the islands."

Added Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani): "I would also push hard for federal money to ensure that emergency supplies and equipment are in place to avoid the logistical problems of bringing them to Hawaii when a disaster occurs. Federal agencies must be well integrated with local Civil Defense and other emergency response agencies, so that all resources can be brought to bear quickly and effectively when needed."

State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua) also recalled the damage from Iniki and noted how delivery of needed supplies was delayed due to airport damage.

"I would make sure that our National Guard and reserves are maintained in sufficient force to ensure that we have the manpower to deal with any emergency," she said. "Additionally, emergency planning and equipment, including communications equipment, to execute the rapid reopening of airports, harbors and transportation routes must be in place so that recovery efforts can be begin immediately."

Hanalei Aipoalani, a former biotech company executive, also cited adequate funding of federal aid programs as a key to recovery, adding, "My staff and I will work closely with state and local officials on making certain that their needs are being addressed and that relevant federal legislation information is being disseminated and circulated in a timely manner."

Former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga cited three issues key to emergency planning: preparedness, decentralization and accountability.

"I would expand FEMA's emphasis on decentralizing stockpiles of supplies at the regional level to ensure Hawaii is not forgotten," he said. "And I would demand increased accountability for the readiness and performance of federal agencies. ... Our nation's disaster response can no longer be hobbled by red tape, inflexible rules and bureaucratic infighting when lives and livelihoods are at stake."

Other candidates stressed the need to work cooperatively with the other three members of Hawaii's congressional delegation to secure resources in advance of a disaster.

"We need to ensure that federal, state and county responses are coordinated to make sure that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing, including communicating to the public the information they need to protect themselves and their families," said former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono. "I will work to ensure increased federal funding for better communication ability for our first responders and for increased military readiness for transporting vital supplies to each of Hawaii's islands."

State Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makiki) noted that Hawaii response agencies work well together, and proved it during this year's Ka Loko Dam break on Kauai and the mudslides in Tantalus.

"The bottom line is that the role of your member of Congress is to work with other members of Hawaii's delegation to fiercely advocate for the funding needs of the community, and make sure that Hawaii gets the money that it needs to respond to a disaster," he said.

In addition to working with the delegation, City Councilman Nestor Garcia said he would make it a priority to promote open communication between the governor and the White House in the event of a disaster and also monitor the performance of any federal interagency task force efforts.

"The key to emergency preparedness is advance planning," Garcia said.

Republican candidates for the office stressed the need to work closely with the National Guard and other military installations in Hawaii.

"The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina showed that the capability of our military is far superior in the initial aftermath of a natural disaster," said former House Minority Leader Quentin Kawananakoa. "As your congressman, I will strengthen the existing civilian/military relationship."

State Sen. Bob Hogue (R, Kaneohe-Kailua) added: "I would work diligently with federal, state, and local agencies, plus the Hawaii National Guard and U.S. military services to help facilitate the process. The most important thing is that we work together and make certain that the people of Hawaii are safe and secure."

For the e-mail survey, candidates were given 48 hours to respond and were asked to limit answers to no more than 150 words. Robert Wilcox IV, a nonpartisan candidate in the race, has not returned messages to the Star-Bulletin seeking his participation.