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I think Hawaii in general is afraid of scaring visitors, and so the hospitality industry for the most part just pretends that tsunamis don't really happen here, and does not consistently inform guests of the evacuation routes. In contrast, a state like Oregon which is not so uniformly dependent on tourism for economic health has a very different approach.
Based on the geologic record, Oregon is way overdue for a really big tsunami, until this week there has not been one much bigger than a ripple for over 150 years. EVERY single vacation rental, hotel room, park, and public site in the tsunami zones has evacuation routes clearly and prominently posted. When we first moved here we spent almost a year living in various vacation rentals all over Puna and Hilo, and I was really surprised that not a single one had similar information, even the ones in Kapoho. I have also spent many weekends over the last year at trainings on Oahu and stayed in various hotels in Waikiki, and they also had no information posted explaining what to do in case of tsunamis. Hawaii is a place of nature, with all the natural risk factors that come with being a volcanic island chain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we need to quit pretending it isn't and start consistently informing our guests of how to keep themselves safe in case of tsunamis.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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quote:
Originally posted by csgray
I think Hawaii in general is afraid of scaring visitors, and so the hospitality industry for the most part just pretends that tsunamis don't really happen here, and does not consistently inform guests of the evacuation routes. In contrast, a state like Oregon which is not so uniformly dependent on tourism for economic health has a very different approach.
Based on the geologic record, Oregon is way overdue for a really big tsunami, until this week there has not been one much bigger than a ripple for over 150 years. EVERY single vacation rental, hotel room, park, and public site in the tsunami zones has evacuation routes clearly and prominently posted. When we first moved here we spent almost a year living in various vacation rentals all over Puna and Hilo, and I was really surprised that not a single one had similar information, even the ones in Kapoho. I have also spent many weekends over the last year at trainings on Oahu and stayed in various hotels in Waikiki, and they also had no information posted explaining what to do in case of tsunamis. Hawaii is a place of nature, with all the natural risk factors that come with being a volcanic island chain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we need to quit pretending it isn't and start consistently informing our guests of how to keep themselves safe in case of tsunamis.
Carol
totally agree with you.
We moved here from the rural Washington State coast and there were tsunami routes and signs to get to them EVERYWHERE. Including in the minit-mart and grocery stores. The Washington coastal towns survive on tourist dollars, yet they post the evac map in the hallways of the hotels and on the back of the cabin doors.
I am going to take the CERT training that seeb mentioned. I think this is a cause I can really get behind and have energy to help get some constructive things in place since we seem to need more signs/ awareness/ maps here in East Hawaii. This has really motivated me. Thanks punaweb for all the great ideas.
I understand that the Kona Village Resort really took a hit and is being very hush hush about it. I think it is important to not scare the tourists away, but we also need to show folks the damages that a tsunami can cause. Does anyone have any info on the KVR?
Rob, can you do another one of your Kona side updates?
Again, thanks.
hawaiideborah
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My thoughts too Carol. Good point about Oregon- applies to that whole Pacific coast too.
We live in a place that while beautiful and with one of the most livable climates on the planet,
exists on the edge in a number of ways.
We cannot ignore those circumstances.
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quote:
Originally posted by hawaiideborah
I understand that the Kona Village Resort really took a hit and is being very hush hush about it. I think it is important to not scare the tourists away, but we also need to show folks the damages that a tsunami can cause. Does anyone have any info on the KVR?
Well if they're being hush-hush, they need a new PR person, because they were the lead story in yesterday's Tribune Herald (with a 1 inch bold headline). All employees told to stay home while damage assessment is completed, and the resort is closed "indefinitely."
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well, guess it is not hush hush...front page news.
I gave up newspapers several years ago and just get my news on internet and tv, saves lots of trees and recycling tons of newspaper. However, I don't tend to read the Hilo Herald tribune online as often as I would like. Missed yesterday's 1" bold headline...
hawaiideborah
Kona Village was hush hush for a few days at least after the tsunami. Then they made a public announcement, at which point it hit all the local media.
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I think Carol is correct in the visitor industry as a whole not properly informing people or not wanting to for fear of scaring them. We are, as the previous Civil Defense administrator said, living on an island that is trying to kill us.
I recall an incident I saw on the news years back about Maui where there had been a shark attack off the Sheraton (a common place for sharks). The hotel guests were not told of the attack and one interviewed guest even said the snorkel kiosk workers said it was ok to go in the water. This particular incident goes against most normal practices - might have made it more newsworthy.
On an institutional level I can say some hotels are more prepared than others and it utterly depends on whether or not some key staff take disaster preparedness seriously. There are some hotels that do and have excellent plans.
I was at a table top exercise (multi-agency disaster preparedness drill on another island) where the lead for the hotel industry said that she assumed the local buses would automatically be available to shuttle hotel guests to safety. The head of mass transit said no they wouldn't - they would be busy evacuating other people or stranded on their bus routes, depending on the situation. Her jaw was literally on the floor at this news. She had no back up plan for transporting thousands of people, nor had she ever contacted mass transit to confirm that they would hel in the event of a disaster.
And as to tsunami evacuation routes being posted here in the islands. All the nice blue signs showing evac routes are relatively new. They only started showing up after the 2004 Indonesian tsunami.
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Things have gotten much better with the new Civil Defense Administrator.
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I had also thought that tsunami evac routes were well marked on all roads..... we have family in staying in the Waikaloa beach area this week, & I looked around & did not notice the signs...anywhere in the Waikoloa loop. Granted I was not on a searching mission for them, but I was trying to stay a little more aware than usual (even did some reef cleanup work yesterday) & did not notice the signs, so if they are posted, I was blissfully unaware of them (which is a common occurrence for me)
One thing that I was made aware of a couple of years ago, at one of those handy Civil Defense Community programs, was that I had not really taken to heart ALL of the evacuation routes that may be needed to know. I shop & play in Hilo, yet when questioned, did not know all of the routes from the areas I frequent.... something we all should review (esp. if you do make a habit of playing in THE ZONE!)
Oh, and damage to Kona Village Resort damage was first announced in a little sentence last weekend, but the magnitude of the damage was not (partly because of the work needed just to get in & assess, I think... maybe...)
When you see the size of boulders moved around the Kona coastline & seawalls, you do appreciate the amount of work that has gone on in one week to clean up.
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http://www.king5.com/news/saint-helens/H...11589.html
Isn't it beautiful? There is No Law that say you gotta move from your house it's a personal choice folks. Take it from Truman himself. Everyone told him to leave and pleaded with him but in the end the Mt took him anyway. As for the insurance and what they will not or will do. BS, they will help anyone weather you stayed or didn't. Think of the people that didn't have a car or where too old to go. Whatever the case... I find it funny watching people that are already 1K feet high pack up and frantically RACE up to the top almost killing themselves and others in the process -- seen it happen more than once. Good fun had by all! Gonna go? Go! Do it in a slow safe orderly process tho.  Enjoy it! You'll live longer.
Japan got hit with water for six miles because it was FLAT! Again common sense should tell you if your out 6 miles and only above sea level by 4-6' better do something....
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