STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1739

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 69

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 69 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO DEVELOP AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR THE AREAS WITHIN LAVA ZONES 1, 2, 3, 4, AND 6,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop an evacuation plan for areas within lava zones 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawai‘i County Council. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet and that the Kilauea volcano is currently erupting with lava pouring into the lava lake within Halemaumau Crater. There are numerous volcanic hazards associated with Mauna Loa and Kilauea for the County of Hawaii and these hazards require a collective effort to mitigate any impact to the people of the County of Hawaii. This measure would ensure the safety of residents and visitors of the County of Hawaii by requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop an evacuation plan for certain areas within the lava zone.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 69 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair