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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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BILL NO. 157
(DRAFT 2)
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I:
SECTION 1. Findings and purpose. The County's experience following the 2018
Kilauea eruption demonstrated the critical importance of dedicated leadership, intergovernmental
coordination,meaningful community engagement, and structured planning in achieving effective
disaster recovery.
Recovery from major disasters is a long-term endeavor that extends well beyond the
period of emergency response and often spans multiple years.Effective recovery requires
sustained institutional capacity to coordinate recovery funding, align County actions with State
and Federal programs, and ensure affected communities have consistent and meaningful
opportunities to shape their recovery.
Impacted communities are not only beneficiaries of recovery;they are essential partners.
Their involvement throughout the recovery process strengthens outcomes and helps ensure the
recovery strategies reflect the needs,values, and realities of those most affected.
No formal framework currently exists within County government to institutionalize
disaster recovery operations or provide consistent coordination of recovery programs and
resources.
Establishing a disaster recovery framework within the civil defense agency that activates,
when necessary, will reduce institutional learning loss between disasters, enable a more efficient
transition from emergency response to recovery operations, and strengthen the County's capacity
to secure and effectively deploy State and Federal disaster recovery resources,while maintaining
ongoing, community-informed engagement throughout the recovery process.
SECTION 2. Chapter 7 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) is
amended by adding an article to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Article_. Disaster Recovery Framework.
Section 7-_- Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Disaster declaration"means a disaster declaration issued by the President of
the United States that authorizes Federal disaster assistance for the County.
"Disaster recovery"means the capabilities necessary to assist communities
affected by a natural disaster in rebuilding infrastructure,restoring social and
community services,providing housing,promoting economic development, and
restoring natural and cultural resources.
"State emergency proclamation"means an emergency proclamation issued by
the governor under chapter 127A,Hawaii Revised Statutes, declaring a state of
emergency affecting the County.
Section 7-_-_. Disaster recovery program established; activation;
deactivation.
(a) A disaster recovery program shall be established within the office of the mayor to
coordinate the County's recovery efforts following major disasters. The program shall
operate in coordination with the County's emergency management and response
functions.
(b) The program shall be administered by the recovery officer under the direction of the
mayor and may be activated upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) Issuance of a State emergency proclamation;
(2) Issuance of a disaster declaration;or
(3) A determination by the mayor, in consultation with the administrator,that the
scale or nature of a disaster warrants activation of recovery operations.
(c) Activation of the program may occur during emergency response operations to
facilitate an efficient transition from emergency response to recovery.
(d) Recovery operations shall be considered concluded, and the program deactivated,
upon a determination by the mayor that the program established under this article is
no longer required.
Section 7-_-_. Recovery officer.
(a) Upon activation of the disaster recovery program,the mayor shall appoint a recovery
officer to lead the County's disaster recovery operations.
(b) The recovery officer shall serve for the duration of recovery operations associated
with the disaster event for which the disaster recovery program has been activated.
(c) The recovery officer shall:
(1) Lead and coordinate the County's disaster recovery operations;
(2) Coordinate recovery activities with the mayor,the administrator,the heads of
County departments and agencies, and any council member representing a
council district affected by the disaster;
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(3) Coordinate with State and Federal agencies responsible for disaster recovery
programs and funding;
(4) Manage the receipt, administration, and oversight of disaster recovery programs
and funding, in coordination with the department of finance and other relevant
County departments;
(5) Oversee the development and implementation of the interim recovery strategy
and long-term recovery and resilience plan required under this article;
(6) Lead community engagement efforts and ensure that affected residents and
communities have opportunities to participate in recovery planning;
(7) Report on recovery progress and provide updates semi-annually and as directed
by the mayor or requested by the council; and
(8) Perform other such duties as may be assigned by the mayor in furtherance of
disaster recovery.
(d) The recovery officer must possess demonstrated experience in emergency
management, disaster recovery,program administration, or a closely related field,and
shall have the organizational, communications, and intergovernmental coordination
skills necessary to lead recovery operations.
Section 7-_- . Disaster recovery program functions.
The disaster recovery program shall organize its functions to include the following
core areas,which shall be scaled according to available resources and staffed in proportion
to the scope, severity, and duration of recovery needs:
(1) Policy development,recovery planning, coordination, and implementation of
recovery strategies;
(2) Financial management and administration of recovery funding and grants;
(3) Legal and regulatory coordination;
(4) Communication and public information; and
(5) Community engagement and capacity building.
Section 7-_-_. Departmental responsibilities.
(a) Prior to the appointment of a recovery officer and mobilization of a disaster recovery
program, all County departments, offices, and agencies shall provide such staff,
resources, and coordination support as directed by the mayor to ensure continuity of
recovery operations and an efficient transition from emergency response to recovery.
Such support may include,but is not limited to:
(1) Committing staff and resources to support recovery operations and
coordination;
(2) Coordinating departmental recovery plans and activities with the program;
(3) Providing subject matter expertise and operational support to recovery planning
and implementation efforts; and
(4) Participating in recovery coordination meetings,working groups, and other
activities as directed by the mayor.
(b) Upon mobilization of the disaster recovery program, all County departments, offices,
and agencies shall continue to cooperate with and support recovery operations as
directed by the mayor or recovery officer.
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Section 7-_-_ After-action report.
(a) Following the conclusion of each disaster response,the administrator shall prepare an
after-action report and transmit it to the mayor and the council.
(b) The after-action report shall address:
(1) A summary of the disaster event, its impacts, and the scope of the County's
response;
(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of emergency response operations, including
interagency coordination, resource deployment, and public communications;
(3) Identification of strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement in the County's
emergency response and early recovery capacity;
(4) Recommendations for improvements to emergency plans,procedures,and
• resource allocation; and
(5) Observations relevant to the transition from emergency response to recovery
operations.
Section 7 _. Interim recovery strategy.
(a) Within six months of the activation of a disaster recovery program,the recovery
officer shall prepare an interim recovery strategy and transmit it to the mayor and
council.
(b) The interim recovery strategy shall provide an initial roadmap for recovery
operations, identify immediate recovery priorities, and facilitate coordination of early
recovery programs and funding opportunities.
(c) The interim recovery strategy shall address,to the extent possible,the following
• elements:
(1) A disaster impact and damage assessment, including an overview of losses to
housing, infrastructure,the economy, and community services;
(2) Immediate housing stabilization measures to address the shelter needs of
displaced residents;
(3) Community health and social service needs identified in the immediate
aftermath of the disaster;
(4) Any temporary regulatory measures that may be appropriate to facilitate
recovery, including building or permitting modifications; and
(5) A summary of State and Federal recovery funding and the County's strategy for
accessing such funding.
Section 7-_-_ Long-term recovery and resilience plan.
(a) Within twelve months following the completion and transmittal of the interim
recovery strategy,the recovery officer shall prepare a long-term recovery and
resilience plan,which shall be adopted by resolution of the council and shall serve as
the County's framework for a specific disaster's recovery operations.
(b) The long-term recovery and resilience plan shall address,to the extent possible,the
following:
(1) Housing recovery strategies to restore and expand the housing stock available to
affected residents;
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(2) Infrastructure restoration plans for the repair,replacement, or improvement of
public infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the disaster;
(3) Economic recovery strategies for supporting affected businesses and industries,
revitalizing local economies,promoting workforce development, and
diversifying economic opportunities in affected communities;
(4) Measures to address disaster impacts on natural and cultural resources;
(5) Consideration of land use policy,hazard mitigation measures, and planning
initiatives that support long-term community resilience; and
(6) An ongoing framework for meaningful participation by affected residents and
communities in the implementation of recovery programs.
(c) In preparing the long-term recovery and resilience plan,the recovery officer shall
actively engage the community, and shall provide affected individuals opportunities
to provide input on recovery programs and priorities.
Section 7-_ Redevelopment agency.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article,the mayor, in consultation with
the recovery officer,may recommend that the council create,under chapter 53,Hawai`i
Revised Statutes, a redevelopment agency to facilitate planning,reconstruction, or
development in areas affected by a disaster."
'SECTION 3. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid,the invalidity does not affect other
provisions or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, C UNTY OF HAWAI`I
,Hawai`i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm. 888.4
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