April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawai‘i

The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency and other emergency management agencies across the state are promoting public awareness and preparedness in recognition of April being Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawai‘i.

“A tsunami can happen anytime, with little warning. If a tsunami happens, taking the appropriate actions is critical to your safety,” said Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio. “Everyone should know if they’re in a tsunami evacuation zone, whether working, out and about, or at home. Review Kaua‘i’s tsunami evacuation zones and have a plan should an evacuation be necessary.”

Hawai‘i observes Tsunami Awareness Month in April to remember the April 1, 1946, tsunami in the Aleutian Islands. With no tsunami warning system then, the tsunami arrived unexpectedly. Since then, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has been created and can now better advise Emergency Management and the public of potential tsunami threats.

A banner with information regarding historical tsunami wave run-up heights is on display in the Mo‘ikeha building and later in the Kapule building. Maps of tsunami evacuation zones and preparedness information can be found on the county website, http://www.kauai.gov/kema.

To sign up for Wireless Emergency Notification System, the county’s emergency notification service, please go to the county’s website, www.kauai.gov and click on “Sign up for Emergency Notifications.” You may also call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.