Interview
with Mr. Clifford Ikeda, Kauai Director of Civil
Defense
We
interviewed Mr. Clifford Ikeda, Director of Civil Defense
on the island of Kauai, to find out how the people of
Hawaii have prepared to cope with natural disasters and
to ask his opinion on the benefits of dealing with
disasters.
When
asked what advice he would give people preparing to face
a natural disaster, such has Hurricane Iniki which
devastated the island of Kauai in 1992, Mr. Ikeda
emphasized that everyone should make sure they have a
family disaster plan (see Making a Family Disaster Plan.)
It is wise to have selected a sturdy house that belongs
to family or friends as your disaster shelter. Public
shelters are available but each person is allotted only
10 sq. ft. Space can fill up quickly and with safety
being the primary concern rather than comfort, chances
are you'll fare better by staying at someone's
house.
Civil
Defense monitors the approach of any storm entering the
Hawaiian waters and announces the information through the
media. Residents need to make the proper preparations in
the event of a hurricane threat (see Preparing for a
Hurricane.) The Civil Defense Office on Kauai is in fact
staffed by only three people. The safety of the island's
people and assets rests on the cooperation and networking
of all island agencies and residents.
Mr.
Ikeda could readily identify some benefits earned due to
the Hurricane Iniki experience. First of all, the island
now has a much improved communications system and was the
first county in Hawaii to install enhanced 911. For
several years prior to Iniki, Civil Defense had been
requesting funds from the county council to make
improvements but this request was put on hold. The
category 4 hurricane completely brought down the old
communication system, leaving Kauai cut off from the
outside world at a very critical time.
All
kinds of buildings fell apart during the hurricane and
studies were done to determine how they fell apart. Iniki
caused some $1.7 million in damages. Stronger buildings
were designed to resist hurricanes and a new building
code was adopted. Structures built on Kauai today are
much more hurricane-proof than before and should another
hurricane strike the island, hopefully the damage will be
far less. Additionally, these newer hurricane-resistant
modifications also make Kauai's buildings more earthquake
proof.
Other
improvements were also made. Stronger electric poles were
put in. The flood zone was redone to provide a greater
margin of safety. Houses are built farther from the
shoreline.
In
closing, Mr. Ikeda reminded everyone to make your home as
hurricane resistant as possible and develop a family
disaster plan.
