In the case of a tsunami, the Hawaii Red Cross keeps in close connection with emergency officials while positioning supplies and volunteers to help victims in the wake of a disaster, said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, the organization’s chief executive officer.
“We responded and we were in the emergency operations center,” she said. “We were also putting people on standby and prepositioning to open disaster shelters until the time an all-clear was given.”
Matayoshi, taking issue with statements made by a Kailua-Kona resident regarding the organization’s response to the tsunami scare in West Hawaii Today’s Oct. 29 edition, said the Hawaii Red Cross, in the case of a tsunami, is stationed with officials at the Hawaii County emergency operations center, but does not assist, man, operate or open evacuation centers, which the County of Hawaii opens for those with no place to go. Instead, the organization is preparing for its response after an incident should there be victims unable to return home.
She further said the organization does not open shelters prior to a tsunami because of a lack of infinite resources and an often short window before waves arrive. That differs from the organization’s response in the event of a hurricane or other disaster when actual shelters are opened because there is more time to plan and position volunteers.
“After a disaster, when somebody can’t go back to their home because it’s destroyed, that’s when the Red Cross will open regular shelters that have the blankets, cots and food,” she said. “Even then it’s limited.”
When a tsunami threatens, she said, people should be prepared with food and other necessities when coming to an evacuation site, which differs from a shelter and is set up as a safe place to park with bathroom access. She also advised the evacuation centers should be used only by people in an inundation zone who have nowhere else to go, such as staying with family or friends.
She advised residents to have an evacuation plan in place and keep a five- to seven-day supply of food, water, and medication. Other supplies suggested include a first-aid kit, flashlight, battery or hand-crank radio, bedding, cash, means for sanitation and copies of important personal documents.
“People really need to prepare themselves and their families because disaster can strike at any time,” Matayoshi said.
“You really need to have stuff ready. Emergency evacuation centers don’t have any supplies, even though people expect that somebody will have supplies there.”
