HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEPC Meeting Minutes 110923Hawaii County LEPC Meeting Minutes
Civil Defense EOC and via ZOOM
November 9, 2023
Members Present: Gerald Kosaki/ LEPC Chair, Chris Leonard/Media, Barry Periatt/HCCDA,
Darwin Okinaka/HFD, Matthew Ho/HFD Hazmat, Casey Kishimori/HELCO, Eric Honda/DOH
Hawaii District Health Office, Ron Quesada/PGV, Orasa Fernandez/DOE, Pomai
Bartalome/Mayor’s Office, Ha Chi/Hilo Medical Center, Alfred Leung/Pacific Biodiesel, Grant
Kow Dept. of Ag. Pesticides Branch, Thomas Gilmore/DOH HEER, Members excused: Kili
Kanae/ HFD EMS, Thomas Shopay/HPD, Absent: Phil Carper/BEI, David Cummings/Hamakua
Energy Partners, Terri Napeahi/Keaukaha Action Network
Non-Members Present: Cody Frenz/Corp. Council, Jordyn Mantz/Fire Admin., Jason
Dekemper/ Pacific Biodiesel, Andrew Kendrick/, Mark Gordon/EH&S.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order 9:04AM by Gerald Kosaki
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 17, 2023, Chris Leonard motion to approve
and Chief Okinaka seconded.
III. COUNTY REPORTS:
a. CIVIL DEFENSE: Barry Periatt reported that the process started for getting a
contractor to advise the mitigation plan for 2024 calendar year. The finishing date
should be by March 25, approved, and adopted by the County. Currently are
working on better notifications for emergencies, and by the end of year should be
resolved with a proper plan. As far as Maui Support, one individual is currently
supporting, and staffing for the next iteration (no status currently.) $1.8 million in
grant money has been given to Big Island for August Fire. Elizabeth Dykstra
should contact HFD, Okinaka stated he was not contacted yet. $160 Million
available for fire mitigation projects, Action 24 fire mitigation plans for putting
defensive zones around neighborhoods at risk.
i. Kosaki and Periatt: Discussion on what exactly is the plan. Currently in
process, only reporting that the funds have been received. Notice of Intent
must be done by November 30 for $1.8 Million, March 30th for $160
Million.
b. HFD: Chief Darwin Okinaka stated HFD is currently working on issues of CO2
releases from Kam Avenue gas stations. Also working with FEMA for post-fire
grant regarding the August 8 fires, lots of work with receiving approvals with
FEMA, still waiting on Mana Road post-fire grant from 3 years ago. The County
created a Wildfire Management Task Force. Currently addressing pre-event
mitigation for wildfire prevention. For HFD Training, Chemical Safety days
training was held in September.
i. Kosaki and Okinaka: Discussion on getting a grant for woodchips.
Could try speaking with the Department of Agriculture.
c. HFD-HAZMAT: Matt Ho reported on the attendance of the Continuing
Challenge 2023 HazMat workshop in Sacramento California. Lots of experience
and skills learned from attending, very resourceful and informational. Also
updated on receiving RAD meters, working good and compatible.
d. HFD-EMS: Kili Kanae excused.
e. HPD: Not present
IV. INDUSTRY PARTNERS:
a. PGV: Ron Quesada shared about upcoming Community Outreach Meeting on
November 14th, 2023, at Pahoa Rec. Center. Gave an update on KS22, it was
cleaned out on 9/22/23 and is currently in service. 34.5 megawatts of power.
i. Kosaki and Quesada: Discussion to confirm that KS22 is a production
well. An updated map to include KS22 is with Ron currently and will be
uploaded to their website.
b. HAMAKUA ENERGY PARTNERS: Not present
c. Pacific Biodiesel: Al Leung & Dekemper shared about current projects.
Currently working on expansion of pool treatment area for treating wastewater.
Also working on Fire Suppression System that covers over their methanol
storage/processing area. Methanol storage is currently using a nitrogen safety
blanket as suppression. Jason explained for the fire suppression, looking to go
into foam with lots of mitigation afterwards. Wanting a deluge style fire system,
engineers are looking for if there will be enough volume available.
i. Okinaka to Leung & Dekemper: Had concern with commercial intake
on this.
d. HELCO: Casey Kishimori working on annual overalls on units. Update that
crews are still helping to get power back on in Maui. Working alongside the
county and state with fire mitigation.
e. MEDIA: Chris Leonard Reported working on our emergency alert systems and
communication with the public for both Maui and Big Island. Also working on
communications with other islands as well, sharing what each island does well
and what parts of the alert system can be improved on. Flew over to Maui and
met with Chief Oliveira to assist with their media, help Maui to get in line with
what has been working for the Big Island. Met with Civil Defense and Mayor to
talk about what we do well and what needs improvement. Civil Defense has been
very supportive with continuing to grow and learn on improving our emergency
alert system. Should continue to hold meetings with other islands and
departments as well to break down barriers. In the event of an emergency,
different departments will already have met and be aware of each other already,
able to get a hold of each other faster due to already having connections. The
State currently has a plan of communication but needs to be exercised. Request
was made for Media to work with HPD and HFD to inform the public with safety
measures, fire mitigation, hurricane watch, etc.
i. Periatt to Leonard: Discussion regarding Maui Emergency Agency Staff
commented on how impressed they were with the easy communication
Big Island has with EOC for help with situations and projects.
ii. Okinaka to Leonard: Discussed how Civil Defense is expanding
resources, working on better communications with public. HFD currently
relies on Civil Defense for information and sending out alerts for
emergencies to the public.
f. Mark Gordon: Nothing to Report
g. Andrew Kendrick: Gave reminder about Hawaii Pipeline Association in Hilo.
HELCO Fuel oil pipelines and propane system. If there are questions about the
companies, Andrew will be able to take them and to notify him.
V. STATE:
a. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEER: Thomas Gilmore Reported HFFC
doing fuel redistribution in Hilo Airport.
b. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Hawaii District Health Office: Eric Honda
Nothing to report.
c. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: Orasa Fernandez Reported HAZMAT
disposal pick up for schools will be done at the end of November. It will be
staged at Waiakea Elementary School and 3 days of disposal. Reported that
schools currently have up to date Emergency Action Plans and will be
implemented this school year.
i. Kosaki to Fernandez: Discussion on clarifying the type of Hazmat
disposal was allowed. Confirmed that the disposal was for things such as
chemistry class old chemicals, confiscated e-waste/e-cigs, etc.
d. HILO MEDICAL CENTER: Ha Chi Updated on replacement of roofs and
removal of asbestos. No asbestos was detected in the air, wet it down prior to
replacement. Next is the roof above the OR, expecting asbestos in it.
Management centers are set up. Currently helping with the military.
e. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Sharon Leonida updated on the Hazardous
Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant, which will be used for training that
LEPCs from the counties can request to have for their personnel. Documentation
from attendees would need to be filled out to pay for overtime and other expenses
as needed. Lithium-ion Battery Safety Flyers were sent and printed out.
i. Kosaki to Leonida: Discussion that HSERC passed the request that
Hawaii LEPC had requested to add a new Military member to the
committee. The next HSERC is December 15th, 2023. The next
NASTTPO is scheduled for the third week in April or beginning of May
2024.
f. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PESTICIDES BRANCH: Grant Cow
updated on Oahu Pesticide Disposal Program finished, vendor announced for
Maui’s scheduled for December, then Big Island is next. The Disposal Program
will be for industrial waste, not petroleum products, just old waste. The program
will require facilities to bring waste to location, allowing 250 lbs. max.
g. MAYOR’S OFFICE: Pomai Bartalome Nothing to report.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Continuing Challenge Workshop: Captain Ho gave update on the workshop that
took place September 5th-8th 2023 in Sacramento, California. It was attended by
Captain Matt Ho, Captain Daimen Hisashima, and Fire Inspection Specialist
Elijah Medeiros. They reported meeting lots of leaders and industries in the field
that gave opportunities for good exposure and experience. Met vendors with the
newest Hazmat equipment and procedures and hands-on workshops.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Letter from Mayor Requesting to add Military Representative to LEPC:
Request for Military representative on LEPC had to be processed and motioned.
Motion was passed, addressed with the Mayor for request of letter. The letter was
submitted to ASERC. It was put on the agenda to address it, along with the letter,
and brought up in the 8/17 meeting and anonymously approved.
i. Periatt and HFD: Asked to have contact with military, see if there is
someone who would be fit and able to sit on LEPC, preferably related to
safety or Hazmat. Collect names and contacts, send updated list to the
Mayor. Discussion of new member of the military to be representative will
be on the next Agenda.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a. LEPC Dates for 2024: One Month before ASERC meeting. Barry will check the
calendar for EOC on these dates, Kosaki will send out confirmation.
i. February 8th, 2024, 09:00-11:00
ii. May 2nd, 2024, 09:00-11:00
iii. August 8th, 2024, 09:00-11:00
iv. November 7th, 2024, 09:00-11:00
IX. NEXT MEETING:
a. February 8th. 2024 from 09:00-11:00 at EOC.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting Adjourned 10:00 AM