|
Kona low pressure weather system that affected the County with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms,
<br /> flash flooding, strong damaging winds, and blizzard conditions for the summits, and that separate
<br /> emergency proclamation remains in effect; and
<br /> WHEREAS,the Kona low weather event that was the basis for the March 12, 2026,
<br /> emergency proclamation caused significant rainfall, flooding, and damage throughout the
<br /> County, and the ground throughout Hawaii Island is already saturated from that event. As a
<br /> result,the County's soil, waterways, drainage systems, and flood-prone areas have a
<br /> substantially diminished capacity to absorb or disperse additional rainfall, which significantly
<br /> increases the risk of flash flooding, landslides, debris flows, and overflowing streams from any
<br /> subsequent rainfall event; and
<br /> WHEREAS, Governor Josh Green, M.D., issued emergency proclamations relating to the
<br /> Kona low weather events affecting the entire State, including his fourth emergency proclamation
<br /> issued on March 19, 2026, which superseded his prior emergency proclamations; and
<br /> WHEREAS,the forecasted impacts of the incoming weather system, compounded by the
<br /> already-saturated ground conditions from the recent Kona low event, may result or likely result
<br /> in dangerous conditions to the lives, property, and environment of the County which may extend
<br /> beyond the initial impacts, and include: flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be
<br /> closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams; urban areas may experience significant
<br /> flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff; residents and visitors in flood-prone areas
<br /> face risk of injury or death from flash flooding; landslides may occur in areas with steep terrain;
<br /> critical infrastructure including roads,bridges, power lines, and water systems may be damaged
<br /> or rendered inoperable; and vulnerable populations including the elderly, keiki, persons with
<br /> disabilities, and those experiencing houselessness face heightened risk from flooding and
<br /> associated hazards; and
<br /> WHEREAS, it is critical that the County has sufficient resources and can expeditiously
<br /> and effectively prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from the forecasted severe weather
<br /> event and its compounding effects on the already saturated ground conditions, and protect the
<br /> lives,property, environment,public health, welfare, and safety of the County, its residents, and
<br /> visitors;
<br /> NOW,THEREFORE, I, C. KIMO ALAMEDA, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby
<br /> declare, effective March 20, 2026,that a local state of emergency exists under HRS § 127A-
<br /> 14(b), CCH § 13-23, and HCC § 7-1-7(a), because the forecasted severe weather event,
<br /> compounded by the already-saturated ground conditions resulting from the recent Kona low
<br /> weather event,poses an imminent danger or threat of an emergency or disaster to the County of
<br /> Hawaii; and
<br /> I FURTHER DECLARE that based on the conditions described above, the following
<br /> measures are reasonably necessary to address the emergency or disaster:
<br /> I. Invocation of Laws. Pursuant to HRS § 127A-12(c)(17), the Mayor may take any
<br /> and all steps necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of HRS Chapter
<br /> 2
<br />
|