Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) was recognized Wednesday for being prepared for natural disasters.
It meets all the criteria set by the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP), a program that help communities prepare to be self-reliant during and after natural hazard events, and is now considered a “resilient community.”
JBPHH is the first military installation in Hawaii and the second local community to achieve this. Waimanalo was named a HHARP resilient community last year.
“Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth, so unlike our friends on the mainland who can expect disaster relief in hours coming in from the next county or state, our help has to arrive by ship that can take between seven to 10 days,” said Dan DuBois, JBPHH emergency management officer. “So the JBPHH community has to be resilient and prepared for disaster and emergencies because the military is expected to act as a resource and reach back support for the State of Hawaii.”
“The military is a great portion of the state’s economy as well as an employer for the state, providing jobs and other things, and it brings that national security and safety to the state of Hawaii and the greater Pacific area,” said Maj. Gen. Joe Logan, state adjutant general. “The faster we can get through (these threats) and we’re prepared and resilient and we can continue our military mission here on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, keeps us all safe and secure.”
The program teaches participants to safeguard their loved ones, homes, and property, and work with their neighbors to plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
Regular meetings are held in active HHARP communities, which include Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe/Kahaluu, Waianae, and Waimanalo. Click here for a full list and more information.
