Did you see the images of the areas in Japan that were hardest hit after the world’s worst ever earthquake and tsunami disasters one year later? It was shocking to see the land scrubbed clean of all life. These images were almost as shocking as those that flashed across our screens while we prepared for and in some cases evacuated from tsunamis we knew were coming to Hawaii and Downtown Hilo. Have we learned that earthquakes and tsunamis are unpredictable and have we learned to best prepare?
Did you see the images of the areas in Japan that were hardest hit after the world’s worst ever earthquake and tsunami disasters one year later? It was shocking to see the land scrubbed clean of all life. These images were almost as shocking as those that flashed across our screens while we prepared for and in some cases evacuated from tsunamis we knew were coming to Hawaii and Downtown Hilo. Have we learned that earthquakes and tsunamis are unpredictable and have we learned to best prepare?
Over the last two years, two major earthquakes (2010 Chile and 2011 Japan) sent most of downtown’s Kamehameha Avenue businesses evacuating to high ground and had some folks shaking their heads, decrying the excessive tsunami evacuation measures when no significant impact was felt here. Even after seeing the power and the results of both those quakes and tsunamis in their country of origin and the fair amount of damage in the Kona/Kohala area, it seems some people just don’t get it. They are really the ones who need the upcoming Earthquake/Tsunami Business Preparedness Workshop presented by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and the Pacific Tsunami Museum, but every business will benefit by taking it.
The workshop is being organized by Stafford Oyama, chair of the DIA’s Public Safety Committee to offer business-specific assistance and disaster preparedness education. The museum supports the event as part of April’s Tsunami Preparedness Month. The most prominent experts in the fields of earthquakes, tsunamis and disaster preparedness will present including Jim Kauahikaua, Scientist-in-Charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Gerard Fryer, Geophysicist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), Benedict Fuata, Administrator and John Drummond, Administrative Officer, Hawaii County Civil Defense. “Many a visitor to our exhibit has left in awe to the power of Mother Nature. Participants in the workshop will hear directly from the experts, scientists who have reiterated time and again, ‘it’s not if, but when’ so please join us and learn how to best prepare your business,” said museum executive director Donna Saiki.
The dynamic presenters at the workshop will share the power and fury of these disasters, an ever-present threat here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. If what happened last year in Japan isn’t enough to convince the naysayer how important it is to be prepared, how about the potential loss of employees and customers, or the loss of irreplaceable business assets? Can a disaster like what occurred in Japan, happen here? These questions and more will be addressed and a take-home guide will be offered for preparedness.
The per person workshop fee is $7 for DIA members and $12 for non-members and includes light refreshments at Bayfront Coffee, Kava & Tea. If three or more people from the same business register the fee is $5 for DIA members and $7 for non-members. Not a member? Join the DIA and fees will be waived for one representative from your company. Registration forms and membership applications are available at the Hilo Information Center at the Mooheau Bus Station or by contacting the association at the information below. Deadline for registration is Friday, March 30, and seating is limited so sign up early to guarantee a space. Every business owner, manager and/or employee that works in a tsunami inundation area will take away valuable and potentially life saving information.
DOWNTOWN EVENTS
Let’s Grow Hilo community work days are held on the last Sunday of the month with the next one on March 25. Meet at the East Hawaii Cultural Center at 2 p.m. and join DIA’s edible and non-edible landscape beautification program. More than 100 pounds of taro and purple sweet potato were dug up, cleaned up, cooked and served at the Hilo Harvest Festival last Saturday and donated to a homeless shelter. The public is encouraged to support the program at the workday or by donating money, tools, plants, mulch, etc.
The 48th annual Merrie Monarch is coming to town next month with a week’s worth of Hawaiian culture centered on the hula starting with a free Hoolaulea on April 8 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium at 9 a.m. If you haven’t gotten tickets to the three nights of competition (April 12, 13, 14) its probably too late but catch the free Hoike performances on Wednesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. and of course be downtown for the colorful Merrie Monarch Royal Parade on Saturday, April 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The DIA is working to spruce up the town preparing for the thousands of visitors from all over the world so give us a call if you’d like to help show off our historic little downtown Hilo!
Around Downtown is written by Alice Moon, executive director of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association. Call Moon at 935-8850 or e-mail askalice@downtownhilo.com to share news about issues, events and activities. Be sure to visit www.downtownhilo.com and www.ourdowntownhilo.com to keep up and comment on programs, projects and events