Tsunami of Media Stories Advances a Theme: How Well Is Hawaii Prepared for its Next Disaster?

Suddenly there are questions everywhere about whether all the planning and rehearsing has adequately prepared Hawaii for its next emergency:

Posted on: Friday, September 9, 2005
Tsunami warning signs not so clear

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Public understanding of the state's tsunami siren warning system is so poor that University of Hawai'i scientists will launch a $500,000 study on how to re-train residents and the authorities who manage emergency response....

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Posted on: Saturday, September 10, 2005
Mayor: Disaster plan is lacking, outdated

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A crumbling system of radio communication towers that will cost $25 million to repair heads a list of problems with Honolulu's outdated and poorly maintained emergency preparedness system, the mayor said yesterday....

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Posted on: Sunday, September 11, 2005
Hawai'i can't let up in disaster readiness

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one question haunts residents of Hawai'i, the most isolated urban population on the planet: Are we prepared for a similar disaster here at home?

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And so on, in both newspapers (no disrespect intended to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin by not including its stories here).

Let the questions continue up to and beyond the Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit & Exposition. Most of the stories and commentary in recent days have concerned natural disasters, so it's hoped the Summit & Expo will broaden its focus beyond terrorism, which the pre-conference publicity has highlighted.

Doug Carlson
Honolulu, HI