The hot sun burned through the morning quietness blanketing Kaumakani town on Monday morning.
A group of first responders, including Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the state’s new fire marshal Dori Booth, collected in the dusty parking lot fronting the Aloha Delites bakery.
Under the direction of the Kauai Emergency Management Agency that included its latest member, Padric Gallagher who served with the Red Cross Disaster Services, the group received a briefing on its mission of contacting residents of the former plantation town, working door-to-door and coordinated through the efforts of Gay and Robinson’s Puni Waialeale.
“We were here a year ago,” Waialeale said. “We’ve learned a lot since then. We’re even more resilient.”
KEMA, in partnership with various partners including the Kauai Fire Department, the Kauai Police Department, the Department of Water, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and the Office of the Mayor, participated in the wildfire preparedness outreach exercise that involved the door-to-door notifications of approximately 200 households in the Kaumakani camp.
“Every minute counts during a wildfire,” said Elton Ushio, administrator of KEMA. “Our goal with these door-to-door efforts is to reach people directly , and ensure they know what steps to take before, during and after a wildfire. Being ready and having a plan can save lives.”
Last summer, on July 14, 2024, during the large Hanapepe-Kaumakani fire that was whipped up by gusty winds and an abundance of dry fire material, Kaumakani was threatened by the quick-moving blaze that cut off access to points west of Hanapepe when Kaumualii Highway was closed in both directions at the Kauai Habitat Restore location.
Firefighters from multiple agencies, including the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, Gay and Robinson, and others worked through the night to contain the blaze that claimed minimal damage to Kaumakani.
“Wildfires can move fast and become dangerous in a matter of moments,” said Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson. “If you feel unsafe, don’t wait — evacuate right away. It’s always better to leave early than risk getting caught in a dangerous situation. Our priority is keeping our residents and responders safe.”
Under the “Be Ready Set, Go Now!” initiative, officials from the county and various partner agencies canvassed the dusty plantation camp and shared information on the evacuation levels as well as instructed families on the creation of evacuation plans, preparing emergency go-kits, and staying informed during rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
“Preparedness is one of the most powerful tools we have to keep our families and communities safe,” Kawakami said. “Wildfire risks are real, as we saw with the Hanapepe-Kaumakani wildfire last year. By coming together as neighbors and staying informed, we can help protect each other. Mahalo to Gay and Robinson, our partners, and the Kaumakani community for being proactive and taking these steps to stay safe.”
This week’s exercise was the first in a series of initiatives planned for communities across the island that are vulnerable to wildfires. The next outreach is scheduled for Waimea that accommodated a lot of the evacuees from the 2024 fire incident, later in the summer. In addition to evacuees, the population included a lot of motorists who were trapped on the West Side due to the road closure that remained in place until late into the night.
A similar disaster preparedness free forum hosted by the North Shore Give and coordinated by the Department of Water, KEMA, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will take place on Wednesday at the Princeville Public Library, starting at 4 p.m.
Source: The Garden Island
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