Aloha,

When the mass power outage and tsunami warning hit Ewa Beach earlier this year, we were reminded that a community that comes together during a disaster is a community that survives. I visited the Hawaii News Now studio this week with Peter Hirai, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management, to talk about how Ewa Beach residents are working together to get prepared:

"Get Ready ‘Ewa Beach" Emergency Preparedness Fair

The family-friendly event will focus on tsunami and hurricane preparedness, how to create a family plan, supply kits, evacuations, health emergencies and insurance. It will include fun activities for children as well as preparedness information specifically geared toward older residents. Dozens of organizations are participating, including:

Preparedness Skills & Training

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• American Red Cross – Hawaii State Chapter
• Boy Scouts of America
• Hawaiian Humane Society
• Pacific Regional Disaster Preparedness Training Center
• National Disaster Preparedness Training Center
• Campbell Local Emergency Action Network (CLEAN)
• Pacific Disaster Center
• Small Business Administration

Home Preparedness & Supplies

• PhotonWorks
• Hurricane Protection Systems
• Simpson Strong Ties
• Alaka‘i Window Laminates
• Pacific Innovative Products
• Shelf Reliance
• SOS Survival Products

Medical & Health

• Hawai‘i Department of Health
• American Heart Association
• Medical Reserve Corps
• Home Growers
• Natural Hawai‘i
• Aquaponic Food Production

Education

• Hawai‘i Department of Education
• UH West
• UH Sea Grant

Science & Weather

• National Weather Service
• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

Transportation

• TheBus

Safety

• Honolulu Police Department
• HPD Weed and Seed
• Honolulu Fire Department

Federal, State & Local Agencies

• FEMA
• Hawai‘i National Guard
• Hawai‘i State Civil Defense
• Dept. of Emergency Management
• Volunteers in Police Service

Community Groups

• ‘Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Insurance

• State Farm Insurance Co., Frelynn Kahalehili
• New York Life Insurance Co.

Emergency Vehicles

• American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle
• Salvation Army Disaster Vehicle
• Honolulu Fire Truck

As always, please contact my office with questions at 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov.

I hope to see you there!

Mahalo,

• Saturday, September 24th, 2011
• 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• ‘Ewa Makai Middle School
• 91-6291 Kapolei Parkway, ‘Ewa Beach