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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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