HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0361.000 2024-2026C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
William V. Brilhante Jr.
Managing Director
County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2103 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808)961-8234 • Fax (808) 961-8569
June 19, 2025
Diane Nakagawa
Director
Malia A. Kekai
Deputy Director
•�J
Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair and
o
C: ".
Members of the Hawaii County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street,
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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'c.J1
Re: Resolution to adopt the updated County of Hawaii Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan
Enclosed is a resolution authorizing the adoption of the County of Hawaii 2025 Multi -Hazard
Mitigation Plan as required by 44 C.F.R. § 201.6(c)(5) and HCC § 7-14(a)(4).
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call Talmage Magno, Civil Defense
Administrator At (808) 935-0031.
a
Diane Naka wa
Director of Finance
Enc.
c: CD
Comm.
Ref. To:''
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Providef. Date
Form #: B-52
7/18/91
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Civil Defense DATE: -6/2/2025
STAFF CONTACT: Talmadge Magno, CD Administrator PHONE: 808-935-0031
A. REQUEST:
Requesting adoption by resolution of the updated County of Hawaii Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan. Current
plan expires on September 15, 2025.
B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED):
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Chapter 1, Sub -Chapter D, Part 201, requires local governments to
prepare and adopt a natural hazard mitigation plan as a condition for receiving grant funds under the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The plan must be reviewed, updated, and adopted by the local
government every five years. The current County of Hawaii Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved by
FEMA on September 15, 2020. The Civil Defense Agency began the revision process of the current plan in
April 2024 with the selection of a contractor to coordinate the review and revision process. After numerous
community engagement events and work county group meetings to review the plan's goals, objectives, and
mitigation actions, the revised plan was posted on the Civil Defense website on March 3, 2025 for public
reivew. Some revisions were made as a result of the review process and the final plan was submitted on
May 30, 2025, to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and FEMA for concurrent state and
federal review. A requirement for plan approval is the local government adopting the plan in accordance with
local laws. FEMA can review the plan prior to the local government adopting the plan. That is the case with
this plan which was submitted to FEMA under "Submission without adoption resolution procedures." After
FEMA reviews the plan and recieves any recommended changes, FEMA will issue an "approved pending
adoption letter" to the County of Hawaii. Under these procedures, FEMA recommends that the plan be
adopted inclusive of any minor additions or corrections that result from the review process. FEMA will issue
an approval letter once they are notified that the plan has been adopted (the local jurisdiction has one year to
adopt a plan that is approved pending adoption). Adopting the plan recognizes the current planning process
and acknowledges changes from the past five years and validates the priorities for hazard mitigation actions.
There are two attachments; the 2020 plan's executive summary which includes the goals, objectives and
actions for the plan, and the final draft of the 2025 plan's goals, objectives, and actions.
SIGNED: DATE: c) 2.0 Zs-
Attachment 1
U M k-111
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hazard mitigation is the use of long-term and short-term policies, programs, projects, and other activities to
alleviate the death, injury, and property damage that can result from a disaster. The County of Hawaii has
developed an updated hazard mitigation plan to reduce risks from natural disasters on the island of Hawaii. This
is a comprehensive update of the hazard mitigation plan that the County of Hawaii first developed in 2010 and
previously updated in 2015. The plan complies with federal and state hazard mitigation planning requirements to
maintain eligibility for funding under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs.
Organization
A core planning team consisting of a contract consultant and Hawaii County staff was assembled to facilitate this
plan update. A working group was assembled to oversee the plan update, consisting of both governmental and
non -governmental stakeholders. Coordination with other county, state, and federal agencies involved in hazard
mitigation occurred throughout the plan update process. Organization efforts included a review of the 2015
County of Hawai `i Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Hawaii statewide hazard mitigation plan, and existing
programs that may support hazard mitigation actions.
Public Outreach
The planning team implemented a multi -media public involvement strategy utilizing the outreach capabilities of
the County that was approved by the working group. The strategy included public meetings, a hazard mitigation
survey, a project website, the use of social media and multiple media releases.
Plan Document Development
The planning team and working group assembled a document to meet federal hazard mitigation planning
requirements.
Adoption
Once pre -adoption approval has been granted by Hawaii State Civil Defense and FEMA Region IX, the County
will formally adopt the updated plan.
Risk assessment is the process of measuring the potential loss of life resulting from natural hazards, as well as
personal injury, economic injury and property damage, in order to determine the vulnerability of people,
buildings, and infrastructure to natural hazards. For this update, risk assessment models were enhanced with new
data and technologies that have become available since 2015. The working group used the risk assessment to rank
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County of Hawaii Mufti -Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary
risk and to gauge the potential impacts of each hazard of concern on the island of Hawaii. The risk assessment
included the following:
• Hazard identification and profiling
• Assessment of the impact of hazards on physical, social, and economic assets
• Identification of particular areas of vulnerability
• Estimates of the cost of potential damage.
Based on the risk assessment, hazards were ranked for the risk they pose, as shown in Table ES-1.
_ .. -. ;. - ._�_•__ fable ES-'f. Haiard Elide Rankin
RankingHazard Hazard Event
High V v_ - _ Wildfire
51,
High _ Earthquake51
high High Windstorms -
45
High _ Trp ical C done
36
High y _ Flood
33
High _ Landslide
High Volcanic Eruption
30
Medium _ Climate ChangeMea Level Rise
27
Medium High Surf/Storm Surgelcoastal Flood
24
Low Tsunami
10
Low _ T - ^ Dam Failure
b -
Law Drought _
$
a. Scores of 30 or greater are rated as "high," scores of 15 to 29 are "medium," and scores of less than 15 are "low
MITIGATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The working group established the following goals for the plan update:
1. Utilize state-of-the-art methods and technologies as well as local knowledge to identify hazards, risks, and
capabilities.
2. Ensure that all critical facilities and infrastructure withstand hazard incidents and have contingency plans
to restore services quickly.
3. Protect natural and cultural resources to the extent practicable while mitigating hazards.
4. Promote actions that support land use planning and regulations designed to ensure long-term resiliency.
5. Promote community risk reduction and preparedness through public education, training and awareness.
6. Improve capabilities to implement response protocols and continuity of operations and services.
7. Strengthen partnerships and leverage existing resources and capabilities to identify, assess, and reduce the
impact of hazards.
The effectiveness of a mitigation strategy is assessed by determining how well these goals are achieved.
Objectives were identified that meet multiple goals. The objectives also are used to help establish priorities. The
objectives are as follows:
1. Improve warning and emergency communications systems.
2. Conduct studies to determine locations, potential impacts, and links among threats, hazards, and
vulnerabilities to support the identification and implementation of mitigation and protection measures in
Hawaii County.
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County of Hawaii Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan
Executive Summary
3. Utilize the best available data, science and technology to identify and communicate the risk exposure to
hazards and ways to increase the planning area's capability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and
mitigate the impacts of hazard events.
4. Promote and implement the retrofit, hardening, or replacement of at -risk structures and lifelines to
increase community resilience.
5. Support hazard mitigation measures that promote and enhance natural processes and minimize adverse
impacts on the ecosystem.
6. Research, develop, promote, adopt and enforce codes and standards that are affordable and feasible for
life and property protection.
7. Establish and maintain partnerships among all levels of government, the private sector, community
groups, and institutions of higher learning that improve and implement methods to protect life, property
and the environment in the planning area.
8. Minimize impacts of hazard events on the economic drivers for the County.
9. Incentivize and implement mitigation measures for hazard risk and repetitive loss areas to address repairs,
major alternations, development plans and practices.
10. Integrate local hazard mitigation plans with the general plan other local plans, and provide training and
guidance to integrate and strengthen the linkages between the plans.
11. Advance community resilience through preparation, adoption, and implementation of state, county and
local multi -hazard mitigation plans and projects.
12. Promote and implement mitigation measures such as fire breaks around communities and along roadways
as needed to mitigate the risk of wildland fires.
The County selected mitigation actions to work toward achieving the goals set forth in this plan update.
Mitigation actions presented in this update are activities designed to reduce or eliminate losses resulting from
natural hazards. The update process resulted in the identification of 31 mitigation actions for implementation, as
listed in Table ES-2. The table shows two identified priorities for each action: priority for implementing the action
and priority for pursuing grant funding.
The working group developed an implementation and maintenance strategy that includes grant monitoring and
coordination, a strategy for continued public involvement, a commitment to plan integration with other relevant
plans and programs, and a recommitment from the County to actively monitoring and evaluating the plan over a
five-year performance period.
Full implementation of the recommendations of this plan will require time and resources. The measure of the
plan's success will be its ability to adapt to changing conditions. Hawaii County will assume responsibility for
adopting the recommendations of this plan and committing resources toward implementation. The framework
established by this plan commits the County to pursue actions when the benefits of a project exceed its costs. The
County developed this plan with extensive public input, and public support of the actions identified in this plan
will help ensure the plan's success.
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XXID
County of Hawaii Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary
Action HC1—Microwave Network Upgrade. This project involves the hardening of fhe County's radio
Medwm " High
communications system through replacement of the following systems: microwave system, direct current
;
(DC) power system, photovoltaic energy systems,_and tower refurbishment. _
Action HC2=Public Safety Building Flood MiUgation and Electrical Upgrade. This project will eliminate
Medium High
flooding that endangers the entire electrical system at the Public Safety complex and causes damage in
other areas. The electrical system will be upgraded to prevent failure.
Action HC3—IT Data Center. install a SmarfMod 12x45 with a 11x34 u6Tity skit to support the data center
Medium High
that supports critical services for the County currently housed at the CM Defense building (924 Ululani SL,
Hito) and the IT Department bu➢ding (25 Aupuni St, Hilo) -
Action HC4--Wafluku Bridge #1 and Waianuenue Avenue Bridge Hardening. Wailuku Bridge #1 over
_
Medium High
Wailuku River on Wainaku Street is an essential part of the traffic network in the area as it serves as a
detour or important alternate route for Highway 19, The existing 129-foot, 2 span concrete bridge was built in
1919 and is not in compliance with today's engineering design standards, specifically in regard to resisting
seismi.0brces.
Action HC5--Generators for Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Install eight stationary generators to service
Medium High
the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP); Kula1mano WWTP; PApalkou WWTP; Wa➢uku Sewer Pump
Station (SPS); Pauka'a SPS; Wailoa SPS; Onekaakaha SPS; and Kolea SPS during severe weather events.
These facilities experience significant power outages. The Installation of generators will mitigate outages
during these events.
Action HCS—Emergency Power Transfer Switching Capability for Critical Water Infrastructure. The
Medium High
hardening of the Parker#1, Parker#2, LAIAmilo B, Lalamilo C, Honoka'a, Makapala, Wal`aha, Kahaluu,
Queen Lili'uokalani Trust, Pi ihonua #1, Pi1honua #3A and 'Ola'a #3 potable water producing facilities
through the purchase and Installation of transfer switches and supporting infrastructure (generator tap
boxes, junction boxes, conduit, wire, supports, etc.) will allow the County of Hawaii Department of Water
Supply to better protect the health and welfare of the public.
Action HC7 Watkoloa Reservoir No.1—Dam Failure Retrofit. The project requires the improvements to
Medium Hgh
address the stability of the embankments as well as the waterproofing of the reservoir itself. The
embankments are being improved by widening the base of the embankment and increasing the overall
strength supporting the reservoir walls. An underdrain at the toe of the embankment is also being installed to
direct groundwater away from the embankment to minimize the chances of liquefaction. Also, waterproofing
the reservoir will be accomplished by installing a synthetic liner, which eliminates the possibility of leaks
through the numerous cracks in the concrete panels lining Pe interior of the reservoir.
Action HC8—kcGIS Data Management, Collection and Tracking. Create an Information/data management
Medium High
system to provide actionable information to the planning process during an incident and to capture data for
Impact statistics and hazard analysis post4ricidenL
Action HC9—Volcanic Risk Home Buyout Program. Develop and institute a home buyout program that Medium high
targets eligible properties impacted by lava flows from volcanic eruptions. 1
Action HC14—Maintain NFIP Compliance. Continue to maintain good standing and compliance under the High Medium
NFIP through implementation of floodplain management programs that, at a minimum, meet the NFIP
requirements:
• Enforce the flood damage prevention ordinance. t
• Participate in floodplain Identification and mapping updates.
Provide public assistancetinformation on floodplain requirements and impacts. -
Action HC11—Maintain CRS Participation. Continue to maintain and enhance (where feasible) the County's High Low
classification under the CRS program.
Action HC12—Flood Hazard Needs Assessments. Perform needs assessment and riverine flood studies for Medium High
Puna, North Kona, and South Kohala to Identify flood control projects and for Hamakua (to figure out what is
the real risk associated with landsides).
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County of Hawal'i Mul&Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary
Action HC13—Wailoa River Budge Retrofit Coordinate with the state to upgradefretrofit Singing Bridge to
address chronic coastal flooding and impacts from tsunami. Tsunami project —criticality of the DPW bridge
to get retrofitted to prevent isolated populations.
Action H694--Tr6ining and Exerase. Augmentthe Coanty's annual emergency operations tralning and
; exercise program with relevant hazard scenario data and[models (Hazus) that were developed in support of
the riskassessment for'this fiazairi mitigation Tannin effort
'High' i,ow
Action HC15--Critical Infrastructure (roads and bridges) needs assessment. Conduct a vulnerability/needs Medium High
assessment of identified critical roads and bridges that results in the identification of retrofitting projects and
identifies critical routes in support of evacuation planning
'Action 9C16=Audible Notification•Needs'AssessmenL Conduct a needs assessment that identifies g@ps in fgadlurn low
coverage in the Cauntjr's audible fwamirig,{sir`eris} system as well as existing systems that need to be replaced
'and/or updated.
Action HC17--Rain Gauge Network. Purchase and install rain gauges in the Hnmakua Coast to support I Medium High
landslide and flood risk identification and notification.
'Action'HC18—EargiquakefTrnOcal Cycioke Retrofit'Incentive Program. Cniiduct a study to determine tEie High High
,feasibility for 6e.County4to deploy an incentivd!based program that would encourage private property
,owners to rihfit their properties against the impacts of earthquakes and tropical cyclones: Key to this study ,
will be a wlnerabI . y analyst§ that attempts to idehffy the general building stock within the Couhty that is
lmn vulnerable to these;tiazards.
Action HC19—Vulnerable Property Protection. Where appropriate, support retrofitting, purchase or Medium ` Medium
relocation of structures located in hazard areas, prioritizing those that have experienced repetitive losses
and/or are located in high- or medium -risk hazard areas.17L
— --
'Actlon'HC20--Plan' integration: Integrate the hazard mitigation plan into other-pians, ordinances and High Low
programs that dictate land use decisions in the community, including capital improvement ptograms;'the
'general recovery_,plans end, strategic plans:
Action HC21—Risk Communication. Leveraging existing County public outreach programs, utilize the best
High Low
available data and science to communicate the risk from all hazards assessed by this plan to the public to
promote prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mibgation actions at the local scale.
Action'HC22--Damage Assessment 1rotocol and Capacity Building. Develop protocol for collecting and
High Law
,storing data necessarOo develop damage assessments. Research use of drone technology and�IT
solutions.fio take footage and convert into assessments.
Action HC23—Codes and Policies for Sea Level Rise: Update county codes and policies to require that all
High I Low
coastal development consider and incorporate measures to address sea level rise.
:Action'HC24—Fre Pmfeation: Establish fire Ixeaks around communities and_along taadways _
NO High
Action HC25--Shoreline setback for Coastal Erosion: Update county shoreline setback policies to include
High i Low
coastal erosion in order to better regulate development in the high -risk areas
Action HC26-Reduce development'in high -risk hazard areas: Update and overlay hazard zones and
High Low
,develop conditions fbr land use and design within high risk zones and within or adjacent to urban growth
areas outside of higW-sk areas.
Action HC27—Evacuation and Sheltering Assessment and Protocol: Perform an assessment of facilities
High Low
utilized as shelters and identify mitigation needs as well as develop evacuation and sheltering protocol,
policies, and procedures.
'Action HC2t3-Volcanl_c Gas Monitoring: Provide training and develop monitoring plan to support
High Low
:gaslpartfculate.moi ijb ng
.._ _—
Action HC29—Emerging Hazards: This plan update was being completed during the COVID-19 pandemic,
Medium i High
illustrating the need for the plan to be dynamic and have the flexibility to adapt to emerging hazards that fall
outside of the traditional natural hazards targeted in the Disaster Mitigation Act. This action is an open-
I
ended call for the County to adapt this plan as needed through the plan maintenance period to address new
and emerging hazards of concern as theX affect the Hawai'i County planning, area.
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7oCv
County of Hawaii Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary
Acuon nw--uisaster uistnomw system: Develop internal protocol, policies and procedure for logistics, Medium Lour
management and resource support during disasters, and develop agreement with state, federal and private
partners ttr implement the plan.. k
Action HC31--Mass Gathering Plan: Develop a plan that includes policies, procedures and prolocoi for Medium LOW
conducting mass gathering events with an emphasis on terrorism.
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Attachment
21.2 MITIGATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Hazard mitigation plans must delineate goals aimed at reducing long-term vulnerabilities to identified hazards, in
accordance with 44 CFR Section 201.6(c)(3)(i).
21.2.1 Goals and Objectives from the 2020 HMP
As part of the plan update process, the Mitigation Working Group conducted a,�Wew of the goals and objectives
established in the 2020 plan. The 2020 version of the HMP identified the following mitigation goals:
Goal 1: Utilize state-of-the-art methods and technologies as well as"Iocai knowledge to identify hazards,
risks, and capabilities.
Y �
Goal 2: Ensure that all critical facilities and infrastructure withstand hazard incidents and have
contingency plans to restore services quickly. f,
• Goal 3: Protect natural and cultural resources to ihe`extent practicable while mitigating'hazards.
FtF...
s Goal 4: Promote actions that support land use planning . ;and regulations designed to ensure long-term
resiliency.
• Goal 5: Promote community risk reduc#lonland preparedness through public education, training and
awareness.
® Goal 6: Improve capabilities to implement resp nse protocols and` ntinuity of operations and services.
r
+ Goal 7: Strengthen partnerships and leverage. existing"resouraes and capabilities to identify, assess, and
reduce the impact of hazards.
The 2020 objectives were developed to meet multiple goals were as follows:
6 Objective 1: Improve warning and `emergency communications systems.
e Objective 2: Conduct studies to determine locations, potential impacts, and links among threats, hazards,
and vulnerabilities to support the identfication'and implementation of mitigation and protection measures
in Haw4i; County.
Objective 3: Utilize the best available data, science and technology to identify and communicate the risk
'exposure to hazards and ways to increase the planning area's capability to prepare for, respond to,
y recover from, and mitigate the impacts of hazard events.
+ Objective 4: Promote a "I pie ment the retrofit, hardening, or replacement of at -risk structures and
lifelines to increase community resilience.
$ Objective'5 Support haze?mitigation measures that promote and enhance natural processes and
minimize adve{rse impacts on the ecosystem.
V •K� 6 .r..: -
* Objective 6: Research; develop, promote, adopt and enforce codes and standards that are affordable and
feasible for life ar tiI roperty protection.
4 Objective 7: Establish and maintain partnerships among all levels of government, the private sector,
community groups, and institutions of higher learning that improve and implement methods to protect life,
property and the environment in the planning area.
• Objective 8: Minimize impacts of hazard events on the economic drivers for the County.
• Objective 9: Incentivize and implement mitigation measures for hazard risk and repetitive loss areas to
address repairs, major alternations, development plans and practices.
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21-19 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
* Objective 10: integrate local hazard mitigation plans with the general plan other local plans and provide
training and guidance to integrate and strengthen the linkages between the plans.
• Objective 11: Advance community resilience through preparation, adoption, and implementation of state,
county and local multi -hazard mitigation plans and projects.
Objective 12: Promote and implement mitigation measures such as fire breaks around communities and
along roadways as needed to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
21.2.2 Review and Update of Goals and Objectives for the 2025 HMP
The Core Planning Team reviewed the 2020 HMP goals to determine their continuing applicability to County
mitigation needs and decided to update them. The Core Manning Team noted that overall the 2020 goals capture
the plan's intent, but the statements could be more specific and achievable,
Following comprehensive discussions, the group determined that a reassessment and revision of the existing
goals and objectives was necessary to achieve better alignment with community objectives and priorities. In
partnership with the Mitigation Working Group, a review was conducted, and the goals and objectives were
updated. This process involved a series of facilitated discussions and exercises, through which the working group
developed a refined set of goals and measurable objectives for the hazard mitigation plan.
Stakeholders were invited to participate by providing their individual suggestions and recommendations through
surveys, which were subsequently addressed in three Mitigation Working Group meetings. The newly established
goals and objectives in this updated plan are designed to complement each other effectively. Goals were selected
based on their relevance and connections to other planning efforts, while objectives were crafted to advance
multiple goals simultaneously. Additionally, a new goal was introduced to emphasize the importance of economic
protection. More detailed information regarding the evaluation of each goal can be found in Table 21-2. Detailed
evaluation of each objective can be found in
Table 21-2. Evaluation of 2020 Goals
Goal 1 Utilize state-of-the-art methods and Goal 1
technologies as well as local knowledge
to identify hazards, risks, and capabilities.
Goal 2 'Ensure that all critical facilities and Goal 2
1 infrastructure withstand hazard incidents
and have contingency plans to restore
{services quickly.
Goal 3 I Protect natural and cultural resources to Goat 3
`the extent practicable while mitigating
Ihazards. _
Goal 4 Promote actions that support land use
planning and regulations designed to
-fensure long-term resiliency.
Goal 5 ' Promote community risk reduction and
preparedness through public education,
,training, and awareness.
(Reduce risk and build resilient communities to have
the capacity to respond to and recover from the
impacts of their primary hazards of concern.
Build a resilient County government and critical
infrastructure (including shelters) network to ensure a
continuous stream of resources and information while
also maintaining governmental operability during
hazard impacts on the Island of Hawar L
Protect natural and cultural resources using
meaningful mitigation tactics that protect and promote
!the natural environment in Hawaii County.
(Combined with Goal 1 above)
(Combined with Goal 1 above)
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__� 21-20 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Goal 6 j Improve capabilities to implement
I response protocols and continuity of i
I
_ !operations and services.
'Goa_ l 7-gStrengthen partnerships_ and leverage
jexi§tirig re"s_ource`s;and capabilities to
jidentify; assess;,and,reduc
� q e the'impact of
(Combined with Goal 2 above)
Combined with Goals 1 _and;2 above}
Naw N/A �Goal4 'Minimize ii
(drivers for
Table 21-3. Evaluation of
,e"waming and "emergency
Objective 2 Conduct studies to determine locations,
potential impacts, and links among
threats, hazards, and vulnerabilities to
support the identification ands
implementation of mitigation
protection measures in Hawai'i County.
Objective 3 Utiflze the best available data, science
and tecfiriology to identify and
communicafe the risk exposure to
hazards and ways ,to increase the
planning area's capability to prepare
for, respond to, recover from, and
mitigate the impacts of hazard'events.
events on the economic
already has been adds
(Eli- ir" to -will be addressed as an action
'1liatherthan an objective)
(Eliminate - addressed in objectives 6 and
7)
Objective 4 Promote and `Imple '-t the trofit;
O jeZive 1
t ,hardening, or replacement of at -risk
'Al,.
r structures and lifelines to increase
T �communiiy resilience
Objective 5 Support hazard mitigation measures
_
JObjective 2
that promote and enhance natural
processes and minimize adverse
impacts on the ecosystem.
Objective 6 Research, develo romote adopt,Objective
3
hand°enforce codes and standards that
are affordable antl feasible for life and
_..bje�_
Octive 7 i Establish and maintain partnerships
i
jamong all -levels of government, the
private sector, community groups, and
institutions of higher learning that
improve *and implement methods to
proteci`life, property, and the
1
environment in the planning area.
Promote and implement the retrofit,
hardening, or replacement of at -risk
structures and lifelines to increase
community resilience. (no changes) T
Support hazard mitigation measures by
using nature and incorporating nature -
based solutions for• mitigation agendas
throughout Hawaii County.
Research, develop, promote, adopt, and
enforce codes and best practices that
protect life and property during future
hazard events in the most practical way,
(Eliminate - covered by objective 6)
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21-21 2025 Hawai'i County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Objective 8
iMinimize impacts of hazard events on
(Reword as a new goat}
the economic drivers for the County.
Objective 9
I Incentivize and implement mitigation
Objective 4
Encourage and implement mitigation x
.;measures for hazard risk and repetitive
measures in areas that need repairs or
(loss areas to address repairs, major
1where major alternations/development are
aftemations, development plans and
;required so that hazard risk areas are
practices.
better prepared for future events.
—_
Objective 10
Integrate local hazard mitigation plans
Objective 5
Integrate the 2025 Hawaii County Multi -
with the general plan other local plans
Hazard Mitigation Plan into other local
and provide training and guidance to
plannirg tools and provide guidance on
integrate and strengthen the linkages
ways this integration can strengthen the
between the plans.
Minks between each.
Objective 11
Advance community resilience through
; (Eliminate — added "advance community
preparation, adoption, and
resilience" to Objective 7)
implementation of state, county and
1
local multi -hazard mitigation plans and
_
,projects.
Objective 12
Promote and implement mitigation
(Eliminate —will be addressed as an action
measures such as fire breaks around
item rather than an objective)
communities and along roadways as
needed to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
Objective 6
Establish and maintain partnerships among
;the private sector, community groups, and
,all levels of government to improve and/or
implement programs that Improve hazard
communication as well as help protect life,
property, and the environment on Hawai'i
i1sland.
V
Objective 7
_
Advance community resilience by creating
i
and implementing a comprehensive
community engagement program designed
to educate communities on their identified
risks, prepare family emergency plans,
prepare community response plans, and
resource community capabilities across
Hawaii County.
21.3 IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF MITIGATiON TECHNIQUES
The County and its stakeholders developed updated mitigation actions that include activities covering the range of
mitigation action types described in FEMA planning guidance, "Local Mitigation Planning Handbook" (FEMA
2013). Mitigation action types listed in the FEMA guidance include the following techniques:
Local Plans and Regulations —These actions include government authorities, policies, or codes that
influence the way land and buildings are developed and built.
• Structure and Infrastructure Projects —These actions involve modifying existing structures and
infrastructure to protect them from a hazard or remove them from a hazard area. These project types
TETRA TECH N 21-22 2025 Hawa?i County Hazard Mitigation Plan
could apply to public or private structures as well as critical facilities and infrastructure. This type of action
also involves projects to construct manmade structures to reduce the impact of hazards.
Natural Systems Protection These are actions that minimize damage and losses and also preserve or
restore the functions of natural systems.
• Education and Awareness Programs —These are actions to inform and educate citizens, elected
officials, and property owners about hazards and potential ways to mitigate them. These actions may also
include participation in national programs, such as NFIP and CRS, StormReady (NOAA), and Firewise
Communities (National Fire Protection Association). r `
21.4 MITIGATION ACTIONS 2026
The County and its stakeholders selected mitigation actions to pursue until the next plarti.' update based on the risk
-.
assessment, capabilities assessment, and the goals and objectives, includes some actions identified during
the 2020 update that are still relevant or in progress. Table 6-4 summarizes the updated m tigation actions,
including the following information:
• Mitigation actions for individual and multiple haza�dil
• Mitigation action type.,
• Department or agency primarily responsible for project initiation and/or implementation
.:a J.:
® Estimated cast for the mitigation actioWand•identification of kn n or potential sources of funding
• Implementation schedule
• Implementation priority`
Specific mitigation actions were identifed.to prevent future'id ses. Current funding is not identified for all of these
actions at present, but potential funding sources are indicated to support future implementation. The
implementation of these mitigation actions�is dependent on the approval of the local elected governing body and
the ability of the County t6obtain funding:from.lo_ cal or outside sources.
In general, mitigation actions ranked as highest priorities should be addressed first, depending upon funding.
Medium oryloW prrority;mitigation actions will be considered for implementation as funding becomes available.
�n -
Prioritys sh
ould bev consideredvpreliminary. They will evolve based on prevailing priorities and discretion of
4. 1 � .rl I
the foal)governments, the public, HI_EMA and FEMA as the plan update is implemented.
The language in some actions being carried over has been adjusted to reflect changes to County needs and
capabilities. N
The timeframe indicated in the table is defined as follows:
a Short Term: To be.completed in 1 to 5 years
u Long Term: To be completed in greater than 5 years
w Ongoing: Currently being funded and implemented under existing programs
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TETRA TECH
21-23 2025 Hawai'i County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Table 21-4. 2025 Mitigation Strategy
HC1 Civil Defense N/A This project involves In progress
the hardening of the
CounWs radio
communications
system through
replacement of the
following systems:
microwave system,
direct current power i
system, photovoltaic
energy systems; tower
refurbishment and the
acgaisitlon of cell-on-
1wheets capability.
KC2 Pollee Public Works This projectwill Unknown
eliminate flooding that
endangers the entire
electrical system at the
Public Safety complex
and causes damage in
otherareas. The
electrical system will
be upgraded to prevent
,failure.
Efforts have been Y MfA 111A
'completed to
integrate t
redundancies in the
communications
systems, Additional
work must be
completed to
harden the
Infrastructure.
{
1
Unknown at the - -
time of this plan.
N
TETRA TECH
21.24 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
t IC3 IT Civil Defense Install a SmartMod In progress
12x45 with a iax34
utility skit to support
the data center that
f supports critical
services for the County
currently housed at the
Civil Defense building
1(920 U1uIanISt., Hilo)
and the IT Department
bullding (25 Aupuni St.,
Hilo)
V
WA I MA
® TETRA TECFE
21•2S 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HU Public Works r NIA Walluku Bridge #1 over 'in progress Wailuku Bridge #1- V WA NIA
Waltuku River on ANottce of Intern
Walnaku Street is an for Hazard
essential part of the Mitigation Grant r
Program funding f
traffic network In the was submitted and
area as it serves as a approved to move !
detour or important totheapplicatlon '
alternate route for stage. The Finance
Highway 19. The !
Department Is
existing 129-foot, 2
&atuatingfunding
span concrete bridge
feasibility before
moving forward.
was built in 1919 and
Walanuenue Ave
Is not in compliance
Bridge —Phase 1
with today's
(preliminary
engineering design
design,
standards, specif[catty
environmental, etc)
In regard to resisting
completed;
currently working to
seismic forces.
getPhase2(final
design,
construction)
approvedand
funded.
1
TETRA TECH
l _�1 21-26 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC5 'Departmentofj N/A fInstall eight stationaty Unknown at -
t unknown at the
Environmental generators to service the time of this
,% �. I time of this
Management , the Hilo Wastewater plan.:
plan.
Treatment Plant
(WWTP); Kuta'imano
WWTP; Papa'ikou k
f &-
WWTP; Waliuku Sewer
Pump Station (SPS);
;
Pauka'a SPS; Walloa l `
SPS;Onekahakaha
SPS; and Knlea SPS t
i
during severe weather
Ievents. These facilities
�
experience significarit3'`iiiiii, 4*
;power outages. The T
Installation of s
generators wilt
(mitigate outages
duringtheseevents.
r
� F
�r
r
r
�
fry
a
a�
i
¢
c
�
® TETRA TECH
21ZT 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
14C6 Departmentof NIA The hardening of the 'In progress
The different
Water Supply Parker 01, Parker #2,
project sites are at
Utamilo 8, Lalamilo C.
different stages of '
Honoka'a,Makapala,
completion. Parker.#2,LalamiloO.and
,Wal'aha, Kahaluu,
wal'aha is
QueenLiU'uokatani I
scheduledtobe '
Trust, Pi'lhonua #1,
completed In 2025.
PI'lhonua 113A and
Parker #J, l.al$milo
"Ola'a #3 potable water
-C.Honoka'a,
producing faclatles
Makapala, Kahaluu,
through the purchase
p
QueenUti'uokalant
Jrust, P► lhonua III,
and Installation of
PI'Ihonua M and
transfer switches and
'61a'a#3Is
supporting
scheduled to be
Infrastructure i
completed In2026.
(generator tap boxes,
junction boxes, t
conduit, wire,
supports, etc.) will
allow the County of
,HawaPi Department of
Water Supply to better
protect the health and i
,welfare of the publlc.
a
Y i N/A NIA
S TETRA TECF9
21-28 2025 Hawai'f County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC7 Oepartmentof
Water Supply
9
N/A
The project requires 3Noprogress
Progresses
y
the Improvements to
; dependent upon
'address the stability of
project funding.
the embankments as °
r`
well as the
waterproofing of the
reservoir itself. The
embankments are
t
r
being improved by
wideningthe base of
.,
the embankment and s
-
y
N
`
Increasing the overall
strength supportingthe�
reservairwalls. An•
underdrain at the toe
`
of the embankment is,.
also being installed to
direct groundwater
,away fr'omthe'
lembankment'to
.¢fmiriimize the chances
j
,tof Uquefactlon. Also',
waterproofingthe
t
resenrolrwill be'
-
,accompUshed by
NinstalUng a synthetic
line- Z which eUminates
i
the possibility of leaks
throughthenumerous
cracks in the concrete
panels lining the
Interior of the
WA
I
NIA
IN TETRA TECH
21.29 2025 Hawail County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC8 CivIlDefense N/A, 'Create an In progress Y WA X/A
-information/data
management system
to provide actionable
Information to the
planning process
during an incident and
to capture data for
Impact statistics and
hazard analysis post -
incident.
HC9 Planning Office of Develop and institute a unknown at - -
Housing and home buyout program thetime of this
Community that targets etigible plan,
Development properties impacted by
lava flows from
volcanic eruptions.
This program may be
expanded to include
homes exposed to
other hazards as needs
present themselves
during the
performance period of
this plan.
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TETRA TECH
2140 2025 HawaYl County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC10 I Public Works N/A
Continue to maintain
"Ongoing
IDPWcontinuesto
Y
goodstandingand
lCapability
maintain good.
compliance under the
�standingand
1
NFIP through the
+
camplianceundes
ItheNFIP/
I,/s
Implementation of
,floodplain
management-
�programs that, at a
rminimum, meet the
INFIP requirements:
!•Enforce the flood
r ., ,
,damage prevention
%
'ordinance.
• Participate in
floodplain �=
Identification and
,
mapping updates.
• Provide public
asslstancelitiformation
on toodplain
z
'rregttirementssnd �
.Impacts t'
HC11 i Public Works f� N/A Continue to rsiahitaln jOngoing
1DPW continues to Y
! A, " - ,and enhance (where tCapabtlity
maintain the
'(feasible}iheCounty's '
County's
t classificatiOnilnder
classification under
11 I
a` Itlie�CRS program,
theCft.Sprogram
r
WA
MA
i
I
i
WA NIA
® TETRA TECH
21.31 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC12 Public Works NIA Perform needs
In progress
DPW has utilized Y NIA WA
assessmentand
various sources to r
i riverine flood studies
progress with flood ,
Ito Identify flood risk
hazard studies, i
and flood mitigation
including Puna r
Flood Study
projects In areas of
completed by l
need, Including but not
USACEandaSouth !
limited to; Puna, North
Kohata lWaikoloa #
Xona, South Kohala
Village/Puakoi
sand Hamakua.
flood Study In
progress with a
contracted design
consultant. Further
studies to be
performed as
neededand
_
feasible. 1
HC13 Hawal'iState Hawal'i Coordinate with the
Unknown at
DOT County state to
the time of this
i
upgrade/retrofit
plan.
Singing Bridge to
address chronic
coastal flooding and
Impacts from tsunami.
1
Tsunami project —
criticality of the DPW
bridge to get retrofitted
to prevent isolated
populations.
® TETRA TECH
21-32 2025 Hawai'l County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC14 ! Civil Defense NIA
?Augment theCounty's
lnprogress
Y NIA WA
'
annual emergency
'
operations training and.
}.
exercise program with
sur
relevant hazard
scenario data and
models (Hazus) that
twere developed in
t
;support of the risk
assessment for this
mitigation
=.
�• t
'hazard
planningeffort.
HC15 Public Works Civil Defense Conduct
In progress 10MIspursuing
t
Y WA � NIA
vutnerabilitylneeds
PRt77ECTgrant to
'fund
t
assessment of
T a
.identified critical roads
w Vulnerabtttty/Needs
1Assessmentfor "
and bridges that
; =fevactiation
n
results In the•,
tplannlrig. Further t
I
off
� ' `� � studlestobe'
t
,idenRcavon
,reirOffttingproject'
<_x ,Performed as
) 1
land identifies critical
gmutesinsuppartof
t neededand
? feasible.
1
t
1
;
!
evacuation planning.
_
HC16 Civil Defense } '-N/A'
�Conducta needs
to progress
V
NIA NIA
aassesstnesttthat
)
identifies gaps in
3
icovgrage In the
Counly's'audlble �.,.
warning (sirens)
1
system as well as
;existing systemsthat
Ittneed to be replaced
in .&dr updated.
TETRA TECH
21-33 2025 Hawaii County Huard Mitigation Plan
14C17 ' Civil Defense NQAA Purchase and install In progress Y NIA NIA
rain and stream flow
gauges in the
Hamakua Coast to
support landslide and ,
f lood risk Identification ,
and notification.
,., r r 4
KC18 CIvllDefense Finance Conduct a study to in progress r �Y f1fA � t1fA1
Department determine the ,
feasibility for the Y
County to deploy an
Incentive -based
program that would
encourage private
property owners to
retrofit their properties
against the impacts of '
earthquakesand
tropical cyclones. Key
to this study wilt be a
vulnerability analysis
that attempts to
identify the general
building stock within
the County that Is most
vulnerable to these
hazards.
® TETRA TECH
2i•34 2025 Hawal'I County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HMS Planning I Public Works
Mhere appropriate, . Unkmmn at °- 4
,support retrofitting, thedme of this �l
ipurchase or relocation plan. >-'t
Hof structures located In
hazard areas,
prioritizing those that I
have experienced
repetitive losses_ �- p
and/or are located in
high- or medium -risk c '
hazard areas. Y
Integrate the hazard ongoing H
HC20 Planning Mayor's
Office,
mitigation plan into Capability JZ#Utly'
Public Works
other plans, referenced and
ordinancesand Y Integratedinto
-, other plannlag >,
programs that dictate '!documents, such,,
land use decisions in ;astiteGeneralPlan
thecommtinity, ' 12045update.
inclatlingcapital,, y t
improvement 1
programs, the gerieral
plan, recovery piaiis •_K_
and strategic plans. p, r
K �
8
f
1 �
t •.
® TETRA TECH
2145 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
u
HC21 CIviLDefense Mayor's 'Leveraging existing
Ongoing
Civil Defense Y WA WA
Office, County public
Capability
established a Staff k
County outreach programs,
otficerposition j
Public !utilize the best
dedicated to
information available data and
comm
unity outreachachand
Officer science to
engagementto
communicate the risk
supportthese
from all hazards
efforts•
assessed by this plan
to the public to
promote prevention,
t
preparedness,
response, recovery and
mitigation actions at
?
the local scale.
HC22 CivllDefense Public Works Develop protocol for
In progress
Y WA H1A
collecting and storing
data necessary to
develop damage
,assessments.
Research use of drone
technology and IT
solutions to take
footage and convert
'Into assessments.
HC23 Planning Public Works Update county codes
Unknownand
policies to require
that all coastal
i
development consider
and incorporate
1
measures to address
t
sea level rise.
IN TETRA TECH
21•38 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HWI Fire PubUc Works Establish fire breaks Unknown - -
around communities >^ 4
_ and along roadways. t f.
! r Planning rrPubllcWorks Update county Unknown -
shoreline setback I
to include
t
�poucles
coastaleroslon in
t
4k
jorderto
better regulate
:.�
J "'
development in the
}
high -risk areas.
_`
_
HC26 Planning Wyor's
Office
If Update and overlay Unknown
lhazard zones (as
}
defined In Section
'6.2.2) and develop
r
conditions for land use",'
and design within high'j !
.�
risk zones and within
z
i'
or adjacent to urban 4
'*
growth areas outside
Hof high -risk areas. { Y
HC27 Civil Defense ' DPR
`t. Perform an ,e A In progress
X WA
N/A
assessmentot F
'facilities uduzed as
1,a
ishelters and Identify
'miri Ion needs as
w s
weU as develop
evacuation and
shelteringprotocol,
policies, and
procedures.
s
1:
NTETRA TECH 2147 2025 Hawall County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC28 ' CIvilDefense Fire ` Provide training and 'in progress Y WA WA
develop monitoring
plan to support
gas/part(culate
monitoring system.
HC29 C(vIl Defense County This plan update was in progress Y WA WA
Government beingcompleted
during the COVID-19 t
pandemic, illustrating i
the need for the plan to i
be dynamic and have !
the flexibility to adapt
to emerging hazards
that fall outside of the
traditional natural
hazards targeted in the z i
Disaster Mitigation Act.
This action is an open-
ended caU for the
County to adapt this
plan as needed
through the plan j
maintenance period to i
address new and
emerging hazards of
concern as they affect
the Hawai'l County
planningarea.
® TETRA TECH
31-3$ 2025 Hawaii County Hazard Mitigation Plan
HC30 : Civil Defense County Develop Internal In progress Y N!A j pi1A
Government protocol, policies and x `
procedure for logistics,
management and } I( resource support
during disasters, and t 4
develop agreement t
�with state, federal and
private partners to A i
imptement the plan.`°�
HC31 Civil Defense County 1 Develop a pla n that In progress Y NIA WAS
Government (includes policies, - a
,procedures and x 1
iprotocois for x
3conducting mass. a
`gathering events with `� c
a
an emphasis an
4 t
'terrorism.
1
K
7 � 4
ti4[ j
ti
0
N
spa TECH 21-39 2025 Hawal'i County Hazard MiWation Plan