State Red Cross sends volunteers

Five Hawaii Red Cross volunteers from Oahu, Maui and the Big Island are leaving this weekend to join 17 Hawaii volunteers already assisting with hurricane relief in Louisiana and Texas.

If needed, more volunteers are ready to go the disaster area, the Red Cross reported.

The volunteers will assist with damage assessment, sheltering, mass feeding and public affairs. They will get experience to help the Red Cross in preparing for any storms threatening Hawaii.

The Hawaii volunteers are part of a national network of Red Cross volunteers trained to assist large relief operations on assignments of up to three weeks.

Residents interested in becoming local or national disaster volunteers are asked to contact the nearest Red Cross office for free disaster training.