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School shelters should be
top post-disaster priority

The recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina has caused residents to question Hawaii's disaster preparedness. Legislators were briefed recently at the state Capitol on the types of natural disasters that are most likely to hit Hawaii and our ability to cope with emergencies. The top three likely disasters were all water-related hazards: hurricanes, flash floods and tsunamis. The State and County Civil Defense, joined by the Department of Education, expressed a common concern for our state -- the lack of hurricane-resistant shelters. The concern was raised about school buildings that are not hurricane resistant and therefore are unusable as shelters.

Kapolei High School was cited as one example of a building that is not hurricane resistant. It might be that as the school was built, Kapolei was considered unsuitable for shelters because this low-lying area might be prone to flooding. Nonetheless, Civil Defense officials believe that all large schools should be upgraded to accommodate natural disaster victims, either as shelters during the storm or after the storm has passed, for those who cannot return home.

From watching the news on Katrina, it is apparent that shelters are a crucial part in the evacuation process and for the care of hurricane victims. Over the years, State Civil Defense requested lawmakers to designate funds for emergency shelters because the state lacks the space for 124,000 of its residents. State Civil Defense recommends that lawmakers increase the state's major disaster fund to create more shelters, build a mobile command system and develop effective warning systems.

Civil Defense officials estimate that $35 million is needed to create emergency shelters. Civil Defense has asked the state for funding in the past, but little has been provided. Now that Hurricane Katrina has again put disaster preparedness at the forefront of our minds, we should act soon to secure emergency shelters. Instead of raiding special funds in times of need, lawmakers should use a portion of the current surplus in the general fund to support the creation of more shelters.

State Civil Defense agencies explained that the state funds would be spent on securing both primary and secondary shelters. Some schools are considered primary shelters -- or "refuge shelters" -- that can be used to harbor evacuees at the onset of, or during, a natural disaster. This initial response center provides safety from the storm. A secondary shelter, or "congregate care shelter," is a place for after-care services -- food, cots, medical attention -- provided by agencies like the Red Cross. Kapolei schools are considered congregate care shelters because they are on lower ground and are more vulnerable to flooding. Schools such as these, which might not be ideal during a storm, are still considered important to care for victims of a hurricane. Civil defense recommends that secondary shelters also be made hurricane resistant.

To bring schools up to the Uniform Building Code standards, Civil Defense recommends:

» exterior hurricane screens, which can be installed prior to the onset of a storm;

» doors to be secured at top, middle and bottom so they do not burst open in strong winds;

» roofs should be solidly constructed with the pillars bolted down;

» bathroom facilities should be available to accommodate hundreds of people who might be sheltered for an extended period of time.

From listening to the hurricane preparedness briefings, it is clear that Civil Defense, the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of Transportation, the DOE, the Honolulu Fire Department and the Red Cross are well rehearsed, well organized and well equipped, except that they need funds for sirens and shelters. Because experts say it is not a question of "if" but "when," lawmakers should do their part to ensure Hawaii's people are safe when a devastating storm hits our islands.

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