HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-03 Emergency Lava proclamation May 3, 2018County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, provides for the
establishment of County organizations for emergency management and disaster relief
with the Mayor having direct responsibility and authority over emergency management
within the County; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A Hawai‘i Revised Statutes and Chapter 7, Articles 1
and 2 of the Hawai‘i County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the
County of Hawai‘i and prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and
Section 13-23 of the Hawai‘i County Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to
declare emergencies; and
WHEREAS, being that the Mayor is temporarily absent or disabled pursuant to
Section 5-1.5 Hawai‘i County Code, the Managing Director shall act as Mayor; and
WHEREAS, at approximately 4:54 a.m. on May 1, 2018, United State Geological
Survey (USGS) Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) issued a report that a migration of
seismicity and deformation downrift (east) of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō indicates that a large area along
the East Rift Zone is potentially at risk of new outbreak, possibly in the Lower Puna area.
The location of any future outbreak will determine what areas are in the path of new
lava flows; and
WHEREAS, due to the possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage
and/or bodily injury to residents of Hawai‘i Island, and the need for government
agencies and representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate
services to our island residents, a state of emergency is authorized pursuant to
Chapter 127A Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, and Chapter 7, Hawai‘i County Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Wil Okabe as Acting Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, do
hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due to threat of imminent
disaster on the Hawai‘i Island, effective 4:00PM, May 3, 2018, and continuing thereon for 60
days or until further act by this office.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the
County of Hawai‘i to be affixed. Done this 3rd day of May, 2018 in Hilo, Hawai‘i.
Wil Okabe
Acting Mayor
County of Hawai‘i