HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	14
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OF EVERY PUBLIC SAFE ROOM IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII PROVIDING SUITABLE SHELTER FROM VOG AND DEVELOP PLANS TO ESTABLISH SUCH SAFE ROOMS IN ADDITIONAL AREAS THAT NEED THEM.

     WHEREAS, the ongoing eruption at Kilauea Volcano continues to spew thousands of tons of ash and dangerous sulfur dioxide gas daily; and   

     WHEREAS, when Kona weather with southerly winds settles in, various parts of Hawaii County are immersed in health-threatening vog that forms when sulfur dioxide mixes with sunlight and dust particles; and

     WHEREAS, the volume of vog in the air above many communities has jumped dramatically since March 2008, when the amount of sulfur dioxide spewing from Kilauea began to double; and

     WHEREAS, the noxious gases emitted from a volcano can settle on a community too quickly for the entire community to timely evacuate; and

     WHEREAS, in those situations, it would be more practical for residents to remain indoors, minimize outdoor activity, and seek shelter from volcanic emissions in safe rooms; and

     WHEREAS, safe rooms equipped with air conditioners and air purifiers can provide effective shelter from vog; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive account of every publicly accessible safe room providing suitable shelter from vog would greatly bolster vog-related preparation and response efforts; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to heading the state Department of Defense, the Adjutant General also serves as the state Director of Civil Defense pursuant to section 26-21, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     WHEREAS, the state Director of Civil Defense is responsible for coordinating the activities of all civil defense organizations in Hawaii, public or private, pursuant to section 128-3(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Adjutant General is requested to:

(1) Identify the location of every public safe room in the County of Hawaii providing suitable shelter from vog; and

(2) Develop plans to establish such safe rooms in additional areas that need them;

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Adjutant General is requested to take steps to obtain funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for safe room air conditioners and air purifiers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Adjutant General and the Administrator of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

Report Title: 

Vog; Safe Rooms