2022-11-28 Emergency Proclamation - Mauna Loa Eruption

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Mitchell D. Roth Mayor Lee E. Lord Managing Director Robert H. Command Deputy Managing Director Gaunt -of 'Fafuni`i Offilr of for AnVar 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 323-4444 9 Fax (808) 323-4440 EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended, provides for the establishment of County organizations for disaster relief with a director in charge of each political subdivision; and WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes and Chapter 7, Articles 1 and 2 of the Hawaii County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the County of Hawaii and prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and Section 13-23 of the Hawaii County Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to declare emergencies; and WHEREAS, an eruption began in Moku`aweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There are currently no active mandatory evacuations; community evacuations may become necessary; and WHEREAS, due to an active eruption in Moku`aweoweo the Hawaii Police Department has issued a road closure of the Mauna Loa access road at 1:15 a.m., Hawaii standard time on November 28, 2022, additional road closures may become necessary; and WHEREAS, due to an active eruption in Moku`aweoweo, currently the following shelters have been opened Robert Herkes gym in Ka'u and at Kekuaokalani Gym at the Kailua Park in Kona; additional shelters may be opened if necessary; and WHEREAS, due to the possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage and/or bodily injury to residents of Hawaii Island, and the need for government agencies and representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island residents, a Civil Defense state of emergency is authorized pursuant to Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended, and Chapter 7, Hawai'i County Code; and WHEREAS, the danger of disaster is such magnitude to warrant protective action in order to provide for the health, safety, welfare and protection of the people and pursuant to Section 127A- 13 (b)(4), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Mayor finds it necessary to appropriate actions to direct and control the mandatory evacuation of the civilian population. NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due to the threat of imminent disaster on Hawaii Island, effective November 28, 2022, 3. -t, a.m., Hawaii. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.