Hawaii Residents Pick Up the Beat, Call for Crisis Plans' Details To Know if Islands Are Prepared

Polls show the majority of Americans are critical of how the crisis responders reacted after Katrina. Hawaii citizens are calling for details on the preparations local planners have made for the islands to recover after our next major hurricane. Here's a sampling of letters to Honolulu newspapers:

The Honolulu Advertiser, September 8
DISASTER QUESTIONS REQUIRE ANSWERS

Doug Carlson's (Sep. 2) commentary is right on point. When I look at New Orleans and know that trucks and helicopters can get there from surrounding areas, and they're complaining about the slow response, I know that O'ahu disaster plans are inadequate. The recommendations of three days of food and water in a personal family disaster kit won't get us through a direct hit.

Please investigate and report on the answers to Mr. Carlson's questions.
Elizabeth Norcross
Nu'uanu


The Honolulu Advertiser, September 9
DOES O'AHU HAVE PLAN FOR EVACUATION?

How well are we equipped on O'ahu to deal with a natural disaster and its aftermath and recovery? Are we learning (and preparing) to deal with a possible evacuation of this island on a massive scale? The good people of the tsunami-stricken regions in Indonesia were not prepared. Nor were the fine folks in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

I've been in Honolulu for more than seven years and can't recall a serious civil defense/natural disaster exercise involving the public. Is there a comprehensive disaster response plan? If so, does it have the money, staffing and resources needed to make it effective? Is it practiced? Exactly where are we as a state, county and city on this issue? I'd like answers.
Dennis Palmer
Red Hill


The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, September 8
National Guardsmen are needed at home

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina it is now clearer than ever that it was a big mistake to send the National Guard overseas to Iraq. This is not only because it was an inappropriate use of the National Guard, but because it left us less secure at home. Not only were the personnel needed to restore order and rescue marooned citizens who weren't able to evacuate before the storm, but their equipment is exactly what was badly needed.

As citizens of Hawaii, are we more secure with Hawaii Army National Guard's Company A, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry stationed in Iraq? I am proud of their service. However, how prepared are we in the event of an unpredictable catastrophic event such as a tsunami? We were hit by one 30 years ago. Are we more vulnerable now because our National Guard are stationed in Iraq?
Robert Schacht
Honolulu