Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: 19. Mitigation Strategy

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Chapter 19:Mitigation Strategy an eruption from Mauna Loa toward Kona can (and has) required rapid response in that area as communities may be both threatened and escape routes cut. • Structural protection. One lava diversion dike has been constructed. On Mauna Loa, it pro- tects the government's long term atmospheric observatory on the mountain. (This diversion dike built upslope of the NOAA climate monitoring facility on Mauna Loa has not yet been tested.) Ad hoc diversions using bulldozers, bombs, and water spray have been tried in the past, with varied and generally minimal results. See Chapter 2 for a report on the public option survey that included questions about attitudes regarding the possible use of lava diversion techniques. 19.2.6 Droughts and Wildfire The mitigation actions for drought are primarily structural and non-structural programs to withstand droughts (since rain-enhancing measures have proven ineffective). Wildfire mitiga- tion includes preventive land use measures, improved hazard identification, and critical facilities development. • Identification of hazard areas. For high hazard areas, appropriate conditions to zoning and subdivision applications need to be developed, such as requiring fire-resistive materials or maintenance of fire breaks. • Critical facilities and training. Potential water sources to fight wildfires need to be invento- ried. Roads that may be closed by wildfires and lava flows need to be identified and bypass routes or other contingencies planned. in addition to recently acquiring brush trucks, the County Fire Department sponsored 45 volunteer firefighters (from rural areas) to participate in the Firewise Community Development Workshop and helped establish the Big Island Wildfire Coordination Group. This group is expected to improve procedures to rapidly provide the most effective response to wildfires in the island. • Structural and nonstructural projects. Mitigation measures practiced or recommended by agriculturists include ample reservoirs, longer irrigation ditches, drought-resistant crops in certain areas, low rainfall cultivation/tillage practices, changing planting to better areas dur- ing droughts, and moving cattle. More usage of catchment reservoirs can help growers get through dry periods without crop loss. The National Resource Conservation Service provides technical assistance with establishing ponds and reservoirs, and may also provide grants. 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. The County will defer to the plan being developed by the State Water Commission. Crop insurance is available for Mac nuts and some other primary local crops through the Cooperative Extension Service, a program of the USDA and the University of Hawaii. This organization also provides information on drought-resistant plants and tillage. 19.2.7 Landslides and Sea Cliff Erosion Mitigation actions include structural protection measures and preventive land use controls. • Structural projects. The major problem with landslides is road closure. Heavy rainfall or earthquakes could cause the landslide. Structural slope stabilization along highways is ex- pensive,but is often the best long-term solution. 19-8 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan