HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPC Meeting Minutes 051823 i
Hawaii County LEPC Meeting Minutes
Civil Defense EOC and via Zoom
May 18, 2023, 9:00 am
Members present; Gerald Kosaki, Chair; Darwin Okinaka, HFD Fire; Bill Hansen, CD; David
Cummings, Hamakua Energy; Ha Chi, Hilo Medical Center; Thomas Gilmore, DOH-HEER;
Casey Kishimori, HELLO; Chris Leonard, New West Broadcasting Group; Matt Ho, HFD
Hazmat.
Non-members present; Sharon Leonida, DOH; Liz Galvez, DOH HEER; Orasa Fernandez,
DOE; Cory Harden, member of the public.
Corp Counsel: Cody Frenz
Acting Board Secretary/Mayor's Office: Pomaikai Bartolome
L CALL TO ORDER - Meeting called to order at 9:05 am by Chair Gerald Kosaki.
Introduction of all attendees.
IL APPROVAL OF MINUTES—February 2, 2023,meeting minutes, Chief Okinaka
moved to approve, and David Cummings seconded. Discussion had. Motion passed
(all in favor).
III. COUNTY REPORTS
• Civil Defense—Bill Hansen reported that April is Tsunami Awareness Month and
Civil Defense did community outreach in different locations around the island with
the assistance of the CERT Teams. Also, Civil Defense is back in their EOC facility.
Participated in Career Day at Keaau Elementary School. Currently working on the
Tsunami Response Plan, adding on the Extreme Tsunami Response Plan.
• HFD-HAZMAT—Matt Ho reported that there was a propane release at the Kawaihae
Harbor Pier. Hazmat was on the scene for 10 minutes; the area was evacuated.
Reports from the community say that it happens often. A minimal activation of EOC
was set up and monitored, and within an hour everything was back to normal.
Nothing was reported for East Hawaii.
• HFD —Chief Okinaka stated that they responded to a refrigerator leak at Downtown
Hilo, Sack& Save. The store was evacuated before the units arrived. All was taken
care of. The Lithium-Ion Battery Training and Tabletop at the West Hawaii Civic
Center, Room G, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and at the Hilo Haihai Fire Station on
Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Mark Gordon—Question for Matt Ho— When the leak happened, did the company take
corrective action?Matt: They sent the tank back for inspection. In the future: will follow the
some plan, isolate the vessel and call 911.
IV. INDUSTRY PARTNERS
0 Hawai`i County Police, Major Tommy Shopay—Not present.
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• Hamakua Energy—David Cummings reported that Phase 2 ishey are now moving
on to Phase 3.
• BEI—Not present.
• PGV—Not present.
• Pacific BioDiesel -Not present.
• HELCO —Casey Kishimori —did not have any additional information regarding the
transformation leak.
• MEDIA—Chris Leonard reported that FEMA is exploring locations to input primary
entry points and secondary entry points for federal-level communications. Nimitz and
Sand Island Access is where the Oahu location is located. Federal funding was
provided for this project. Seeking to be set up in every Hawaii County, ensuring
processes are in place for other emergencies.
V. STATE
• DOH HEER—Sharon shared the dates for the Lithium-Ion Training and Tabletop
that Chief Okinaka also shared.
• DOH-HEER—Liz shared about the Chemical Safety Day Training coming up in
September of 2023. Location TBA.
• DOE—Orasa shared that the DOE supports the EPA for climate change.
• Hilo Medical Center—Just installed an autoclave. The Hilo Hospital and Extended
care facilities removed their mask requirements.
VI. CORP COUNSEL
• Sunshine law training and overview by DCC Cody Frenz
VIL OLD BUSINESS
• Chemical Safety Day Overview and Briefing.
VIIL NEW BUSINESS
• HFD Request—Chief Okinaka requested continuing HFD Personnel, and HAZMAT
training. The HAZMAT conference is coming up in September of 2023. It is a 5-day
Course with 5 days and 6 nights. September 5t'through the 8t'. $650 per person with
an attendance fee, if purchased before August 17t'. About$550 for flights, $150 per
person, plus per diem. $2,400 per person per diem. Maybe 4 personnel.
o Chris Leonard made a motion to approve up to $18,000, not to exceed $3,000
per person. 4 Fire Department personnel, 2 LEPC members. Chief Darwin
Okinaka seconded. Discussion had. All in favor. Motion passes.
IX. DISCUSSION
Cory Harden, a community member participant asked if we have a seat for Military
personnel on the LEPC. A request was made to add a Military representation to the
LEPC: Chief Okinaka made the motion. Chris Leonard seconded that motion.
Discussion had. All in favor, no opposition. Motion carries.
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• Bill Hansen asked; Does LEPC play a role in preparing, preventing,protecting,
mitigating, etc., What is the role? Does Civil Defense invite LEPC?
o Gerald Kosaki's response: The purpose of the LEPC is to review the County's
Emergency Response Plan. The State is preparing to revise the County's
Emergency Response Plan.
o Liz (State) response: Indirectly LEPC members are involved. Need to check
how best to explain the Committee's role.
VIIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/NEXT MEETING—The next LEPC meeting is scheduled for
August 10, 2023, at 9 am at the EOC.
IX. ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 11:08am