UPDATE March 5: With Power Restored, Rep Pine drops State of Emergency request
REPRESENTATIVE KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE
March 4, 2011
Dear Governor Abercrombie,
Pursuant to Section 209-2, I am asking you to immediately issue an executive order using your emergency powers to restore electrical power to the communities in Leeward Oahu and the North Shore, covering a significant portion of the island.
Since early this morning, the people of these communities have been without basic power. This has affected health and safety including the ability of grocery stores to stay open and maintain food supplies and the ability of pumping and water stations to supply drinking water to the community.
The power outage has also affected traffic signals which impact the ability of emergency medical personnel, police, fire, civil defense and other emergency services. We are also concerned that hospitals and care facilities may not be able to run the equipment necessary to maintain the health and welfare of their patients.
I believe this situation meets the criteria of a sudden and ordinary event causes losses and suffering as required under Section 209-2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
You have the authority to issue a proclamation calling upon the Hawaiian Electric Company to ensure that power is restored promptly. This includes calling those HECO staff who walked off the job this afternoon back into work to address this community emergency.
I urge your prompt and immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Representative Kymberly Marcos Pine, Minority Floor Leader
District 43, Ewa Beach
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REPRESENTATIVE KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2011
REPRESENTATIVE KYMBERLY PINE DEMANDS STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER HECO LEAVES RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER
HONOLULU – Representative Kymberly Pine has asked Governor Abercrombie to declare a State of Emergency to restore power to Ewa Beach residents affected by the strike of Hawaiian Electric Company’s IBEW Local Union 1260.
“It is unacceptable for union members to put their pay before the safety of my community. Many people in Ewa Beach are already out of work and for them to walk off in a state of crisis is egregious,” said Rep. Pine.
She continued, “This is like emergency workers walking off the job during a hurricane.” But unlike a hurricane which gives warning to residents to prepare, the union made a choice to hurt people for personal gain. This is a manmade disaster by choice.”
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Star-Advertiser:
Statement from Governor Neil Abercrombie on Power Situation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2011
“I have spoken with leaders of Hawaiian Electric Company and the union. My thought is that they can set aside their respective positions during this emergency situation until the public’s safety is taken care of.
“The most important thing right now is restoring electric services for residents and ensuring their health and security then resume negotiations.”
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