The Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency has the responsibility of administering and operating the various local, state and federal civil defense programs for the County. This includes planning, preparing, and coordinating civil defense operations in meeting disaster situations and coordinating post-disaster recovery operations including state and/or federal assistance.

The Civil Defense Agency has six permanent employees:

Administrator: William G. Davis

Assistant Administrator: Bruce Butts

Plans & Operations Officer: Patricia Arthur

Staff Specialist: Lanny Nakano

Secretary: Mei Jayne Hirayama

Account Clerk: Darlene Arthur

The operating budget for Fiscal Year 2001-2002 was $525,852.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2002 and the anthrax scares during the same period were by far the major events during this past year. This attack in our backyard was a wakeup call to our nation and its people.

Our nation’s leaders and its people rallied to put in place the necessary security measures, plans and procedures to deter and detect future terrorist activity.

The Civil Defense Agency played a major role in keeping our island community informed of these new measures, plans and procedures. We are also in the process of completing our Terrorist Response Plan. Just completed is the Hawaii Island Anthrax Response Guide, thanks to the assistance of the Mayor’s Office, Police, Fire and the state Department of Health.

Things will never be the same again. However we will go forward, we will prevail, and we will live alert not alarmed.

The Civil Defense Agency participates in various exercises conducted on a statewide or islandwide basis. These range from the monthly siren tests to exercises that are directed to only schools, hospitals, and other agencies.

Educational sessions were conducted to acquaint the public in civil defense procedures. Meetings were conducted with community associations, business establishments, and other organizations to better understand and improve performance during emergency situations. These included warning systems and action required by citizens.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is required to coordinate and provide training in the areas of hazardous materials, radiological defense and civil defense emergency response procedures. Training is provided to county agencies, state agencies, and private organizations.

Brushfires 10

Earthquakes 11

Flooding 21

Hazardous Material 4

High Surf 38

High Wind 11

Tropical Cyclones 4

Drought Declaration Ongoing

Volcanic Eruption Ongoing