Emergency management and disaster response in Hawaii: The role of medical centers and the media

Abstract

The research is an administrative case study based on an extensive review of Hawaii government documents and interviews with key personnel of the Hawaii Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC), civil defense, and other relevant government officials. Interviews with key personnel at the major medical centers were also conducted as well as a survey of 80 percent of the local Hawaii-based TV news reporters. The study describes the interagency coordination at the federal, state, county, and community level to improve capability. Recommendations from the study included increased funding for family emergency preparedness and local community response teams and continuous training by emergency response coordinators to improve state and county disaster preparedness. The study also recommends collaboration with disaster-trained media reporters. The study concluded that, overall, Hawaii is adequately prepared in emergency response capability, particularly in the areas of medical services and interagency coordination, but coordination with the media reporting on disasters could be improved.