HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-22 EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION RELATING TO TROPICAL STORM MOKE C.Kimo Alameda,Ph.D.
William V.Brilhante,Jr.
Mayor y4
Managing Director
Merrick Nishimoto
. �
Deputy Managing Director
County of H-fawai`i - Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • Phone(808)961-8211 e Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona Hawaii 96740
Phone(808)323-4444 . Fax(808)323-4440
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION RELATING TO TROPICAL STORM MOKE
By the authority vested in me as the Mayor of the County of Hawaii by the Constitution
and laws of the State of Hawaii, and by the Charter and ordinances of the County of Hawaii, to
prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters, I, C. KIMO ALAMEDA,
Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby proclaim as follows:
WHEREAS, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 127A, provides for the
establishment of County of Hawaii (County) organizations for emergency management with the
Mayor having direct responsibility and authority over emergency management within the
County; and
WHEREAS, HRS Chapter 127A, and Hawaii County Code (HCC) Chapter 7, establish
a Civil Defense Agency within the County and prescribe its powers, duties, and responsibilities;
and
WHEREAS, HRS § 127A-14(b) empowers the Mayor to declare the existence of a local
state of emergency in the County by proclamation if the Mayor finds that an emergency or a
disaster has occurred or that there is imminent danger or threat of an emergency or a disaster in
any portion of the County, as those terms are defined in HRS § 127A-2; and
WHEREAS, the Charter of the County of Hawaii (CCH) § 13-23 and HCC § 7-1-7(a)
also empower the Mayor to declare a state of disaster or emergency by proclamation; and
WHEREAS, at 5:00 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Saturday, August 22, 2026,
the National Weather Service (NWS) Central Pacific Hurricane Center issued Tropical Storm
Moke Forecast Discussion Number 9, reporting that Tropical Storm Moke (Moke) was centered
near latitude 14.8°North, longitude 150.2° West, moving west-northwest at approximately ten
(10)knots, with maximum sustained winds near fifty (50) miles per hour, and forecasting that
Moke will strengthen further to maximum sustained winds near sixty (60) miles per hour before
gradually weakening beginning Sunday, August 23, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the NWS forecasts that the center of Moke will pass approximately two
hundred (200) miles south of the Island of Hawaii late Saturday night, August 22, 2026, and
early Sunday, August 23, 2026, and advises that Moke will pass close enough to the County to
produce heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, as
described below; and
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
WHEREAS, a Flood Watch is in effect for the entire Island of Hawaii, issued by the
NWS at 3:06 a.m. HST on August 22, 2026, and in effect until 6:00 p.m. HST on Monday,
August 24, 2026, meaning that flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible; and a
Wind Advisory is in effect for Kohala, Big Island Interior, Big Island South, Big Island
Southeast, and Big Island North, issued by the NWS at 3:02 a.m. HST on August 22, 2026, and
in effect from noon on August 22, 2026, until 6:00 p.m. HST on Sunday, August 23, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the NWS advises that Moke will bring periods of heavy rain to the Island of
Hawaii during the period stated in the Flood Watch, with rainfall totals of five (5)to ten(10)
inches, and locally up to fifteen (15) inches, possible over the windward and southeast slopes of
the Island of Hawaii; east-northeast winds of twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35)miles per hour
with gusts up to fifty-five (55) miles per hour during the period stated in the Wind Advisory,
with the strongest sustained winds occurring over mountain ridges and gaps and where winds
blow downslope from higher terrain; and swells generating life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions along exposed east- and south-facing shores through early the following week; and
WHEREAS, these conditions pose an imminent threat of injury or loss of life and of
substantial damage to public and private property within the County, and the NWS advises that
flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and
overflowing streams, that urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property
damage due to rapid runoff;that winds of this strength may tear off shingles, knock down tree
branches and power lines, blow away tents and awnings, cause power outages, and make
vehicles difficult to steer, particularly high-profile vehicles; and that the surf and rip currents
may be life-threatening to persons in or near the water; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2026, the Governor of the State of Hawaii issued the Second
Proclamation Relating to Tropical Storm Lala declaring a state of emergency for the entire State
under HRS § 127A-14(a), establishing a disaster emergency relief period continuing through
October 19, 2026, and finding that Tropical Storm/Hurricane Lala(Lala) caused loss of life and
significant damage to power, transportation, communications, and other infrastructure and to
private property across the State; that entire communities in the County were cut off from road
access; that more than two hundred fifty thousand(250,000) customers lost power; and that
wellness checks, relief efforts, damage assessments, and recovery efforts are continuing; and
WHEREAS, on August 14, 2026, I issued the First Supplemental Emergency
Proclamation Relating to Tropical Storm Lala, which remains in effect, and County personnel,
equipment, facilities, and funds remain committed to ongoing Lala response and recovery
operations, including debris clearance, road and infrastructure repair, damage assessment, and
sheltering; and
WHEREAS, the damage documented in the Governor's Second Proclamation Relating to
Tropical Storm Lala remains substantially unrepaired within the County, with infrastructure and
structures weakened, obstructed, or destabilized by Lala's impacts, and with ground conditions
across the County remaining saturated from recent heavy rain; the NWS advises that it will not
take a significant amount of rain to cause flash flooding because of those saturated ground
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conditions, and that Moke's rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides on the
windward and southeast portions of the Island of Hawaii, especially in steep terrain and over
areas that were affected recently by Lala; and I therefore find that the combination of Lala's
existing damage and Moke's forecasted rainfall, winds, and surf presents a materially greater risk
of injury, loss of life, and damage to public and private property than if presented alone; and
WHEREAS, the forecasted scope and severity of Moke's impact across the County is
such that preparation, response, and recovery, especially with ongoing Lala response and
recovery operations, may exceed the capabilities of the County acting alone, and may require
assistance from other counties, the State, the federal government, or private entities; and
WHEREAS, the conditions described above may require evacuations, road and facility
closures, and the redirection of County personnel to emergency functions and, to the extent they
occur, will impede compliance with certain County laws by the County and by County taxpayers,
and may interrupt the supply and distribution of essential commodities within the County; and
WHEREAS, the invocation and exercise of emergency powers as stated herein are
reasonably necessary for the County to expeditiously and effectively prepare for, respond to, and
recover from Moke's forecasted impacts, and to otherwise protect the lives, property,
environment, public health,welfare, and safety of the County, its residents, visitors, and
businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, C. KIMO ALAMEDA, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, hereby
declare that a local state of emergency exists under HRS § 127A-14(b), CCH § 13-23, and HCC
§ 7-1-7(a), because Tropical Storm Moke poses an imminent danger or threat of an emergency or
disaster to the County of Hawaii; and
I FURTHER DECLARE that based on the conditions described above, the following
measures are reasonably necessary to address the emergency or disaster:
I. Invocation of Laws. Pursuant to HRS § 127A-12(c)(17), the Mayor may take any
and all steps necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of HRS Chapter
127A, including the additional powers in HRS § 127A-13(b)which may only be
exercised during an emergency period. I hereby authorize and invoke the following
powers related to emergency management, if not already in effect:
A. HRS §§ 127A-I 2(a)(5), 127A-13(b)(3), 127A-13(b)(4), and HCC §§ 7-1-
7(d)(2) and 7-1-7(d)(4). I authorize and direct the Administrator of the
County's Civil Defense Agency, or his designee, to take appropriate actions to
direct or control the following, as may be necessary for emergency
management:
1. Alerts, warnings, notifications, activations;
2. Warnings and signals for alerts, and any type of warning device,
system, or method to be used in connection therewith;
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3. Partial or full mobilization of personnel, in advance of, or in response
to, an actual emergency or disaster;
4. The conduct of civilians and the movement and cessation of movement
of pedestrians and vehicular traffic during, before, and after alerts,
emergencies, or disasters;
5. Shut off water mains, gas mains, or electric power connections, or
suspend other services; and
6. The mandatory evacuation of the civilian population.
B. HRS § 127A-12(c)(3). I authorize the Administrator of the County's Civil
Defense Agency to take possession of, use, manage, control, and reallocate
any public property of the County, real or personal, including parks,
playgrounds, and other public buildings, as required for the purposes of HRS
Chapter 127A, including for use as emergency shelters for persons evacuated
or displaced by Moke and as staging sites for emergency response personnel,
equipment, and supplies.
C. HRS § 127A-12(c)(4). I authorize the utilization of the services, materials,
and facilities of nongovernmental agencies, relief organizations, community
associations, and other private-sector and nonprofit organizations that may be
made available to assist in emergency response and recovery. However,
nothing in this invocation of HRS § 127A-12(c)(4) shall be construed as
acceptance, by the Mayor or any other authorized County personnel, of the
services of any individual person as a volunteer for the County under HRS §
127A-8. For purposes of HRS § 127A-8(c), the services of an individual
person may be accepted as a volunteer for the County only by the Mayor or
the Administrator of the County's Civil Defense Agency, or his designee, and
only upon express approval given in advance, on a case-by-case basis, and
documented in writing.
D. HRS § 127A-1 2(c)(5). I authorize the receipt, expenditure, and use of
contributions or grants, in money,property, or services, or loans of property,
and the procurement of federal aid, as may be available for the purposes of
HRS Chapter 127A, including assistance available through the State and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
E. HRS § 127A-12(c)(6). I authorize the purchase, rental, lease, transport,
storage, installation, maintenance, repair, and distribution of materials and
facilities for emergency management, and the procurement of federal aid
therefor whenever feasible. I further find that, to the extent that emergency
procurement under HRS § 103D-307 or another available procurement
method is not feasible in the time and under the conditions presented by
Moke, HRS Chapter 103D and HRS §§ 103-50, 103-53, 103-55, 105-1 to 105-
10, and 464-4 impede or tend to impede the expeditious discharge of the
County's emergency management functions, and that compliance therewith is
impracticable due to existing conditions; and those provisions shall
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accordingly not apply to those emergency management functions to that
extent. This paragraph does not relieve the County of any procurement
standard applicable to federally funded work.
F. HRS § 127A-12(c)(11). Each public utility, or any person owning,
controlling, or operating a critical infrastructure facility, is hereby required to
protect and safeguard the public utility's or the person's property, or to
provide for such protection and safeguarding; and provide for the protection
and safeguarding of all critical infrastructure and key resources; provided that
the protection and safeguarding may include the regulation or prohibition of
public entry thereon, or the permission of the entry upon terms and conditions
as I may prescribe.
G. HRS § 127A-12(c)(12). I authorize the Administrator of the County's Civil
Defense Agency, or his designee, to restrict the congregation of the public in
stricken or dangerous areas or under dangerous conditions, including beaches,
shorelines, coastal areas, streams and drainageways, low-lying and flood-
prone areas, and areas of steep terrain subject to landslide or mudslide, and
areas previously damaged by Lala, that are determined to pose a risk of injury
or loss of life due to Moke.
H. HRS § 127A-12(c)(13). I authorize the Administrator of the County's Civil
Defense Agency to direct and control the non-compulsory evacuation of the
civilian population from coastal, low-lying, flood-prone, or other threatened
areas in advance of and during Moke, which may precede any mandatory
evacuation issued under HRS § 127A-13(b)(4).
I. HRS § 127A-12(c)(14), CCH § 13-21, and HCC § 7-1-6(a). I direct all
County agencies and officers to cooperate with and extend their services,
materials, and facilities as may be necessary to address the emergency or
disaster.
J. HRS § 127A-12(c)(15). I authorize the County to provide for the repair and
maintenance of public property whenever adequate provision therefor is not
otherwise made and to make temporary restoration of public utilities and other
critical infrastructure facilities affected by Moke, including the emergency
clearance of debris from public roads and other public property and the
emergency repair of any County facility determined to require repair as a
result of Moke.
K. I direct the Director of Finance to administer the disaster and emergency fund
in accordance with CCH § 10-17, and to establish fund accounts in the County
treasury as necessary for the deposit and expenditure of monetary
contributions received pursuant to HRS § 127A-1 2(c)(5). Such contributions
or grants are deemed to be appropriated for the purposes of HRS Chapter
127A, or for the special purposes contemplated therein.
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L. HRS § 127A-13(b)(5). I authorize the County to exercise additional
emergency functions to the extent necessary to prevent hoarding, waste, or
destruction of essential goods, services, and facilities, and to ensure their
equitable distribution or prioritization as the public welfare requires -
including the authority to investigate and, notwithstanding any contrary
County law, to regulate or prohibit their storage,transport, use, sale, or
distribution through licensing, rationing, or other means.
II. Suspension of County Laws.
A. HRS § 127A-13(b)(1). I find that hardships and inequities exist in the laws of
the County, and result from measures taken under HRS Chapter 127A in
response to Moke, to the extent that those laws establish or impose deadlines
for the payment of real property tax bills; deadlines for the filing of
applications, claims, or other submissions relating to real property tax
programs; or any penalty or interest accruing by reason of a failure to meet
such a deadline. I hereby suspend those County laws to the extent stated.
B. Pursuant to HRS § 127A-13(b)(2), I hereby suspend County laws to the extent
that compliance with such laws impedes or tends to impede or is detrimental
to the expeditious and efficient execution of, or conflicts with, emergency
functions related to the above-described emergency or disaster.
I FURTHER DECLARE that this Emergency Proclamation Relating to Tropical Storm
Moke shall terminate automatically sixty (60) days after its issuance, unless extended or
terminated by a separate or supplementary proclamation, in accordance with HRS §§ 127A-14(c)
and (d).
Done at the County of Hawaii,
this 22"d day of August 2026
Ph.D.
4.:�:�O�med�,,
County of Hawaii
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGALITY:
_'.
Renee N.C. Schoen
Corporation Counsel
County of Hawaii
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