HOUSE UNVEILS DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PACKAGE

4-Prong Plan Includes Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Recovery

In an effort to avoid a Katrina-like response effort, the House majority unveiled a comprehensive package of
legislative initiatives for disaster preparedness today, with an emphasis on raising Hawaii's readiness level. The package was designed with input from the business, insurance, financial and real estate industries, the University of Hawaii, and State Civil Defense. The package takes a four-pronged approach:

(1) Preparedness

(2) Mitigation

(3) Response and

(4) Recovery.

"We have reached broad-based agreement with the community on the plan presented today," said Representative Robert Herkes, Chairman of the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee. "We are very serious about improving Hawaii's ability to prepare for and recover from disaster, and we suspect that people and businesses need more than 'encouragernent' to make the changes needed. These bills will strengthen our infrastructure, help Hawaii prepare for and respond to emergencies, and ensure that we have the financial capability to recover."

The legislation in the disaster preparedness package will be included as part of the Majority's priorities. In summary:

PREPARATION

Central Commission. We will task one central commission with preparing for natural disasters. The new commission will be composed of representatives from the finance, insurance and real estate industries, as well as educators, legislators and civil defense officials.

Hazard Information and Maps. State Civil Defense, the Pacific Disaster Center and the University of Hawaii will compile and update the best information possible on the hazards we face. This date and information will be accessible in electronic form to the public.

Statewide Building Code. We will adopt a Statewide Building Code, based on the International Building Code, to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to withstand natural disasters in the area. The counties will be required to adopt either the International code or the State code.

Disclosure of Hazards. Realtors will be required to disclose anticipated hazards in the Multiple Listing Service. Realtors will also be required to participate in continuing education programs so that they may incorporate new hazard zone search techniques into their work.

MITIGATION

Retrofit Existing Structures. We will require retrofitting of existing buildings over a reasonable time period, with appropriate tax credits to ease compliance.

RESPONSE

Shelters. All shelters statewide, as well as all new state buildings, must be designed in accordance with the recommendations of the new commission and State Civil Defense.

RECOVERY

State Catastrophic Fund. A state catastrophic fund will be established to protect property owners and insurers. A resolution will be introduced to encourage Congress to establish a federal catastrophic fund. The fund is designed to ensure that residents and businesses have the financial means to recover from a catastrophic loss.

The package was prepared with the input from community experts on disaster preparedness and response. They include State Civil Defense, UH - Environmental Center, UH - SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology), Insurance companies (Island Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, Professional Insurance Agents of Hawaii, Hawaii Independent Insurance Agents, Hawaii Insurer's Council, Zephyr Insurance), Financial institutions (Bank of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association), and Engineering Consultants (SSFM International Inc.).