Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: 14. Droughts

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Chapter 14:Hazard Analysis—Droughts 14.5 Mitigation Strategies 14.5.1 Previous/Current Efforts Tt is known that a dry winter and possibly a dry spring in Hawaii usually follow the onset of El Nino. Given that the return period of El Nino is approximately three to five years, it would be useful to conduct a study to better anticipate drought patterns and severity in the future once an El Nino is developing. A similar study can be conducted for the La Nina events. None of the many rainfall-enhancement techniques tried have proven successful in practice. Better knowledge is needed on appropriate mitigation measures such as reservoir sizing that factors drought conditions, longer irrigation ditches, drought-resistant crops, low rainfall cul- tivation/tillage practices, changing planting to better areas during droughts, and designated emergency common areas to move cattle.69 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with support from other agencies, maintains a drought mitigation center which assists states in developing drought mitigation plans. Hawaii is developing their plan under the State Water Commission. Crop insurance is available for mac nuts and some other primary local crops through the Co- operative Extension Service (CES), a program of the USDA and the University of Hawaii. This organization also provides information on drought-resistant plants and tillage. This section on droughts and wildfires would need to be updated in the future with findings from the ongoing study by the Hawaii Drought Committee.70 This study will identify drought and wildfire hazard areas and suggest mitigation actions. 69 Dr.A.D.Wall,Horticulturist,personal communication,October 2003. 70 Wilson Okamoto Corporation,County of Hawaii Drought Mitigation Strategies(Draft),prepared for the Ha- waii Drought Committee and State of Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management,September 29, 2004. 14-10 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan