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WHEREAS, the forecasted impacts of the severe weather system, compounded by the
<br /> already-saturated ground conditions, are resulting or may likely result in dangerous conditions to
<br /> the lives, property, and environment of the County, including but not limited to: flood-prone
<br /> roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams;
<br /> urban or other low-lying areas may experience significant flooding and property damage due to
<br /> rapid runoff; residents and visitors in flood-prone areas face risk of injury or death from flash
<br /> flooding; landslides may occur in areas with steep terrain; gusty winds may create flying debris,
<br /> down trees, create travel difficulty for high-profile vehicles, and pose hazards to temporary
<br /> structures such as tents; thunderstorms may produce lightning strikes, locally heavy rainfall, and
<br /> flash flooding, particularly in interior and windward areas; and ice accumulation, snowfall, and
<br /> high winds at the summits may endanger persons traveling to or present at summit areas and may
<br /> damage summit infrastructure; and
<br /> WHEREAS, concurrent with the severe weather system, large breaking waves and strong
<br /> currents along south-facing shores may likely create dangerous ocean conditions for swimmers,
<br /> surfers, and other ocean users; and a potential volcanic eruption at Kilauea summit may likely
<br /> result in ashfall, Pele's hair, and other tephra affecting communities downwind, and may
<br /> necessitate road closures and disconnection of water catchment systems; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the combined effects of the foregoing hazards may damage or render
<br /> inoperable critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, power lines, communications, and
<br /> water systems; and vulnerable populations including the elderly, keiki, persons with disabilities,
<br /> and those experiencing houselessness face heightened risk from these hazards and their
<br /> associated effects; 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, the concurrent volcanic and coastal hazards, and their compounding effects, and protect
<br /> the lives, property, environment, public health, welfare, and safety of the County, its residents,
<br /> and visitors;
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, I, C. KIMO ALAMEDA, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby
<br /> declare, effective April 8, 2026, that a local state of emergency exists under HRS § 127A-14(b),
<br /> CCH § 13-23, and HCC § 7-1-7(a), because the forecasted and occurring severe weather event,
<br /> compounded by the already-saturated ground conditions and existing damage resulting from the
<br /> recent Kona low weather events, together with concurrent volcanic and coastal hazards, has
<br /> resulted in an emergency or disaster or poses an imminent danger or threat of an emergency or
<br /> disaster to the County of 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 /> 127A, including the additional powers in HRS § 127A-13(b) which may only be
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