Hawaii National Guard steps up quake relief

The latest contingent is supporting recovery centers and providing damage assessments

More Hawaii National Guard soldiers and airmen are on the Big Island to help with earthquake relief and recovery.

On Friday, 32 soldiers and airmen joined 23 other active duty troops already assisting at disaster assistance recovery centers and providing damage assessments.

The Guard has been on duty since Oct. 15, when a 6.7-magnitude earthquake caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and buildings.

"There weren't a whole lot of missions for us to do on day one other than things like aerial surveillance and transportation," said Guard spokesman Maj. Charles Anthony.

However, in the days that followed, up to 75 Guard troops have been out on the field, assessing quake damage and releasing recovery information from the state Civil Defense and FEMA officials.

"There's an awful lot of property that needs to be looked at," Anthony said.

The latest contingent is supporting recovery centers at the Waimea YMCA and the Sheraton Keauhou Beach Resort.

Staff Sgt. John Gornick, of the 291st Combat Communications Squadron in Hilo, said most of what he saw were homes shifted from their foundations.

"But we saw homes separating from their carports, separating from their stairs, a lot of rock wall damage," Gornick said.

Gornick said his unit's work has been going to different neighborhoods looking at and reporting damage and handing out brochures for FEMA and other recovery assistance agencies and organizations.

The soldier stressed the importance of Big Island residents reporting damage. Some have speculated that some residents are underreporting damage so they won't have their house condemned.

"Everybody there seemed to be spooked by all the activity," Gornick said. "A lot of homes have moved on their foundations, so if there's another big quake, it'll fall. That's why it's important to report damage."