HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-16 Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation and Emergency Rule No. 1Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel
J S. Yoshirnoto
Assistant Corporation
Counsel
COUNTY OF HAWAH
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720 * Phone (808) 961-8251 e Fax (808) 961-8622
TRANSMITTAL
October 16, 2024
TO: Jon Henricks, County Clerk
Office of the County Clerk -7
FROM: Cody Frenz, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Office of the Corporation Counsel
RE: 10-16-2024 Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation and Emergency
Rule No. I
COPIES/ITEMS I DATE I DESCRIPTION
Original 10-16-2024 Mayor's Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation and
Emergency Rule No. I
TRANSMITTED FOR:
®Your information and filing Fj Your approval
F] Your signature and return F-1 Your review and comments
F-1 Your signature and forwarding M See remarks below
as noted below El Filing and return (envelope enclosed)
F-1 Per your request
REMARKS: Enclosed is the original Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation and
Emergency Rule No. I for your filing as the Custodian of Records. Please contact me if you
have any questions. Thank you.
Enclosure
Received by: � Ifib
(Signature)
� '� v V
(Print Name)
(Date)
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor•
Deanna Sako
Managing Director
Robert H. Command
Deputy Managing Director
AT
V-11jult ]AP"hivalilli
Off rr, of f4t,4aVor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 . Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 . (808) 961-8211 . Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C . Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(808) 323-4444 . Fax (808) 323-4440
RED FLAG WARNING EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION AND
EMERGENCY RULE NO. 1
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended, provides for the
establishment of County organizations for disaster relief with a director in charge of each
political subdivision; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes and Chapter 7, Articles 1 and 2 of
the Hawaii County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the County of Hawaii and
prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and Section 13-23 of the Hawaii County
Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to declare emergencies; and
WHEREAS, § 127A-25, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, authorizes the Mayor to adopt rules to
carry out the provisions of Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 127A that carry the full force and
effect of law; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2024, at 6:53 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a
Red Flag Warning for all Leeward areas for the State of Hawaii from 10 a.m. this morning until
6 p.m. this evening. The Red Flag Warning further indicated that winds from the East are
expected between 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2024, at 6:53 a.m. the National Weather Service, in its Red
Flag Warning specifically identified North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kau, Big Island
Interior areas, and parts of the Puna district of Hawaii Island, are covered by this Red Flag
Warning, which states "a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can
contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly" and
describes precautionary/preparedness actions as follows: "Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars on areas that are paved or
where vegetation is trimmed and cleared. High winds contribute to wildfire hazard. Delay
activities that could throw off sparks until the wind dies down. A Red Flag Warning means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong
winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.';
and
WHEREAS, Hawaii County's preparedness for a quickly spreading fire, or fires,
requires that everyone take precautions and exercise caution to avoid inadvertent fires; and
County of HaNvai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Red Flag Warning Emergency Proclamation
and Emergency Rule No. 1
October 16, 2024
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, current weather conditions and those expected over the next several days
pose an imminent threat which may likely result in substantial injury or harm to the population
or substantial damage to or loss of property or substantial damage to or loss of the environment;
and
WHEREAS, due to the possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage and/or
bodily injury to residents of Hawaii Island, and the need for government agencies and
representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island
residents, a Civil Defense state of emergency is authorized pursuant to Chapter 127A, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, as amended, and Chapter 7, Hawai`i County Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do
hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due to the threat of imminent
disaster on Hawaii Island, effective October 16, 2024, � a.m., Hawaii standard time and I
hereby ORDER;
This Emergency Proclamation shall be effective October 16, 2024, and shall terminate in
sixty (60) days unless terminated earlier or extended by a separate proclamation, whichever shall
occur first.
NOW, THEREFORE, I further adopt and promulgate the following rules which shall
have the full for and effect of law. Violations shall be punishable as a petty misdemeanor.
l . For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,
all outdoor burning is banned in the Districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kau,
Big Island Interior areas, and parts of the Puna district.
2. For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,
all outdoor open flames are banned in the Districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona,
Kau, Big Island Interior areas, and parts of the Puna district.
3. For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,
all "hot work" is banned, "hot work" includes but not limited to grinding, welding, flame cutting,
or other fire or spark -producing operations.
4. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to extend Rules 1 and 2 in
County parks and facilities for a period up to the duration of this proclamation.
This ORDER is effective at S s,ga.m., this 16th day of October 2024.
These RULES are effective at 10 a.m. this 16th day of October 2024.
A EGA I
Dakota Frenz
Deputy Corporation Counsel
a
Mitchell. D. Roth
Mayor
County of Hawaii