More disaster shelter spaces are needed

Editor’s note: This is the second of two stories about disaster preparedness. Watch for a special section on disaster preparedness in The Garden Island in an upcoming edition.

While Hurricane Jova has weakened and poses no threat to Kaua’i, the fact remains that residents of and visitors to Kaua’i, like the rest of the state, would likely not have enough emergency shelter space in the event of a disaster.

“The goal is to have shelter space for 50 percent of the population. Currently we’re closer to 30 percent,” said Mark Marshall, Kaua’i Civil Defense administrator.

Marshall said that, island-wide, there were about 19,343 shelter spaces for a population of about 60,000, not including visitors.

He said state Civil Defense representatives had toured Kaua’i in July looking at potential extra shelter spaces. These sites would likely need to be refurbished and retrofitted, he said.

Westside residents had expressed concern to The Garden Island about a possible shortage of shelter spaces at Koloa School given the tremendous population growth in that area since Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992.

“I think Hanalei might be more problematic,” Marshall said. “The closest shelter is in Kilauea. It’s not a new problem. They have to keep informed about a storm,” said Marshall, who said Civil Defense officials anticipate Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of the one-lane bridge over the Hanalei River will be closed by flooding about six times a year.

The bridge was closed for several hours recently after a deluge brought 8.5 inches of rain to the Hanalei River in 24 hours.

Marshall earlier admitted concern about Hurricane Jova, before the storm weakened and headed north away from the islands. Last week, daily briefings were held concerning the storm’s path.

More disaster shelter spaces are needed “We’re seeing it track north-northwest,” he said Wednesday. “It’s a good sign if it hits cooler water. The best-case scenario is for heavy rains Sunday (yesterday, Sept. 25). I won’t be at peace till it passes.”

Marshall said it is important for those seeking shelter to wait for official word before setting out.

He also advised residents and visitors to be prepared in the event they need to seek refuge.

“If we’re lucky, they will have a dry place with a bathroom. There will be no cots, no food,” Marshall explained. “They will need to be self-contained about their needs, like medicine. Take responsibility for yourself. Don’t wait for the government.”

Some other tips from Marshall:

• No one should go to a shelter site until it is officially opened by Civil Defense leaders. There is no food stored at shelters, no bedding, blankets or other provisions;

• People should bring enough food and water for themselves to last at least three or four days, and bedding;

• If medication is needed and requires refrigeration, there is no guarantee that the shelters will have working refrigerators, so people with such needs must bring coolers or other equipment to keep medical supplies and baby formula cold. Hotels are not public shelters. American Red Cross volunteers are shelter managers when called upon to open shelters by Civil Defense officials.

All communications to the public concerning storm-related events and shelter openings will come from the county’s Public Information Officer, Mary Daubert, or Kaui Tanaka, an aide to Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.

“We want to limit the number of people involved with public communications so there will be a unified voice in a disaster,” Daubert explained.

Once the emergency shelters have been activated, residents and visitors may seek refuge in them, according to county officials.

According to Marshall, the current list of certified shelters and capacities are: Kekaha School (not for tsunamis), 830; Waimea Canyon School, 2,649; Waimea High School, 1,923; Koloa School, 855; Eleele School, 1,197; Kalaheo School, 1,164; Kaua‘i Community College, 1,470; Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, 1,100; Kaua‘i High School, 2,283; King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School, 2,245; Wilcox Elementary School, 268; Kapa‘a Elementary School, 1,346; Kapa‘a Middle School, 467; Kapa‘a High School, 1,879; Kilauea School, 257 (minor upgrades needed); Kilauea Neighborhood Center, 776.

Andy Gross, business editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or agross@kauaipubco.com.