Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: 19. Mitigation Strategy

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Chapter 19:Mitigation Strategy • Department of Research and Development • Department of Water Supply • University of Hawaii at Hilo According to State mitigation priorities, all of the four counties will receive equal priority for the following natural hazards because all jurisdictions are vulnerable: hurricane and high winds, floods, drought, wild land fire, landslides, coastal erosion, and tsunamis. The County of Hawaii will receive top priority for projects involving lava flow and VOG. Priorities (in order) for earthquake projects are: (1) County of Hawaii; (2) County of Maui; (3) City and County of Honolulu; and(4) County of Kauai. The County and State will use FEMA's cost benefit models to include HAZUS-MH. Also, EPA standards and State Historical Preservation Guidelines will supplement the cost-effectiveness review of each project. State Civil Defense has trained appropriate county personnel in the cost benefit models. Also, the State Mitigation Forum will be developing a program to better assess potential losses especially with wind events. This will involve windspeed maps for all counties and a customized hurricane simulation model with geocoded building inventory, user-defined damage functions, and other variables into a GIS-based hurricane loss estimation software package. All mitigation projects must also meet all appropriate Federal, State, and county laws and regulations. The Committee scored and ranked each project. The State Civil Defense Mitigation staff will provide technical assistance to the applicants in the preparation of the applications, cost-benefit analysis to include training, and acquisition of environmental data. In the past, staff members have personally visited potential applicants and explained the application process and requirements. This effective practice will be continued. Priorities for Hazard Miti ag tion The following are the County priorities regarding hazard mitigation projects: 1. Hardening and Retrofitting of Critical Facilities Conduct all hazard evaluations and develop cost-effective retrofits for priority facilities including: • hurricane shelters and schools, hospitals, fire stations, and police stations, airports Hilo and Kawaihae harbors and fuel storage facilities • key County bridges and plan alternative transportation routes, power plants, water systems, communications sites, sewage treatment plants, and other facilities/buildings providing critical services 2. Upgrading of County Building Codes in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 107, State Building Code and Design Standards 3. Mapping/Assessments/Studies 19-11 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan