Waimea PrepareAthon - Community Emergency Preparedness

On August 19th Scott and Angela Nagata and a few friends presented the first annual "Waimea  PrepareAthon".  It was a very organized and impressive network of community, private and nonprofit orgs, government  agencies and vendors coming together to show what could happen in an emergency and how to prepare for it.  The big earthquake a few years back was a wake-up call for residents in North and West Hawaii.  Families have also suffered losses in floods and damage from high winds within the past decade.  Sometimes we only think of hurricanes and tsunamis, but the little things in life like a drought or loss of power can leave a family in dire straits.

Emcee, Jeffrey Coakley, circulated the display tables and spoke with representatives of Civil Defense, American Red Cross, HELCO, SunRun Solar, TheHome Depot, Costco, Civil Air Patrol, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, North Hawaii Community Hospital, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and other presenters so all could understand what the various agencies' roles are in an emergency. The Waimea Fire Department brought their whole team complete with paramedics and demonstrated that they were ready at a moments notice. Private vendors dealt in food storage, simple water distilling systems, homemade stoves using twigs for fuel, alternative medicines for food storage and MRE’s (meals ready to eat).  Mauna Kea Beach Hotel had a table displaying the emergency system for their hotel guests and explained what they do.  KTA Super Stores, MKB and the Hapuna Prince Hotel provided fruit snacks, cakes and drinks.  Josh Hudman (Kaleau Electric) providing the wifi sound system. It was a fantastic effort, and all who attended were impressed with the wealth of information presented.


Scott Nagata (middle) his wife Angela and 3 sons stand amidst organizers of the 1st Annual Waimea Prepare.A.thon at Kuhio Hale on August 19th.  Emcee, Jeffrey Coakley spoke with presenters about they provide in emergencies. 

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HELCO Representative shows Jeffrey Coakley what happens when there's a downed electric line.  
DANGER!!!  DO NOT APPROACH THE LINE!  Stay at least 30 ft. away. 

Max Shimomoto-Pahio and Arthur Arruda demonstrate a homemade stove that use twigs for fuel.  In time of emergency, gas or electricity may not be available, but twigs usually are.

Firemen Brandon Tanaka and Reyn Shimooka were on hand with their trucks and ambulance outside, answering questions about their job as First Responders.
Kaori Chiyu (background) displayed alternative medicine kits, prepared backpacks and a suitcase of supplies needed in a "Get up-&-Go" emergency.

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