HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-15 Emergency Rule No. 1 Relating to November 2024 Red Flag WarningMitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel
J S. Yoshimoto
Assistant Corporation
Counsel
COUNTY OF HAWAII
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720 - Phone (808) 961-8251 * Fax (808) 961-8622
TRANSMITTAL
November 15, 2024
TO: Jon Henricks, County Clerk
Office of the County Clerk
FROM: Cody Frenz, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Office of the Corporation Counsel
RE: Emergency Proclamation & Emergency Rule No. I Relating to November-
2024 Red Flag Warning
COPIES ITEMS DATE DESCRIPTION
Original 11-15-24 Mayor's Emergency Proclamation & Emergency Rule
No. I Relating to November 2024 Red Flag Warning
TRANSMITTED FOR:
®Your information and filing F-1 Your approval
F-1 Your signature and return F-1 Your review and comments
F-1 Your signature and forwarding Z See remarks below
as noted below ❑ Filing and return (envelope enclosed)
F-1 Per your request
REMARKS: Enclosed is the original Supplemental Emergency Proclamation for your filing as
the Custodian of Records. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Enclosure
Received by: K
(S i"g'-n �ar e)
(Print Name)
�t � X 1,3- �
(Date)
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Deanna S. Sako
Managing Director
Robert H. Command
Deputy Managing Director
ff VIODUN of(Aa�jat�C
O f rp of fhr apr
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokilole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(808) 323-4444 . Fax (808) 323-4440
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION AND EMERGENCY RULE NO. 1
RELATING TO NOVEMBER 2024 RED FLAG WARNING
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 November 13, 2024, the National Weather Service issued a fire weather
watch for all islands for Friday, November 15, 2024; and
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2024, at 2:53 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a
Red Flag Warning for all Leeward areas for the State of Hawaii for Friday, November 15, 2024,
from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Red Flag Warning further indicated that winds from the East are
expected between 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, and with relative humidity as low as 40
to 45 percent; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2024, at 3:08 a.m. the National Weather Service, in its
Red Flag Warning update specifically identified North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kau,
and Big Island Interior areas 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
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Emergency Proclamation and Emergency Rule No. 1
Relating to November 2024 Red Flag Warning
Page 2 of 2
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
WHEREAS, current weather conditions 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, 1, 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 November 15, 2024, g Vga.m., Hawaii standard time and
I hereby ORDER;
This Emergency Proclamation shall be effective November 15, 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 except
as otherwise prescribed by law.
l . For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024, all
outdoor burning is banned in the Districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kau, and
Big Island Interior areas.
2. For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024,
all outdoor open flames are banned in the Districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona,
Kau, and Big Island Interior areas.
3. For the period between 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 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 19=64a.m., this 15th day of November 2024.
These RULES are effective at 10 a.m. this 15th day of November 2024.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND EGALITY:
Mitchell. D. Roth
Mayor
Dakota Frenz County of Hawaii