A Big Week on Kaua’i

Heck, it’s been a long week on Kaua’i for Emergency Services and First Responders. Let’s recap:

• An island-wide power outage that knocked out 80% of the island, including all the street lights and stop lights. 
• A fire in Hanapepe/Kaumakani that ultimately burned 1200 acres and as far as property goes, only ate one shed.
• A fire in Kapa’a that consumed 27 acres that was close to town, no damage to any property.
• An assassination attempt on a presidential candidate.
• The Mayor’s Luncheon, normal duties, traffic, road construction, the heat, etc.
• Even as I write this, there is a wildfire above Kekaha on the way up to Kokee. KIUC, our electric coop, has de-energized powerlines to aid in this effort and there are skads of first responding agencies activated to protect life, property and natural resources in a traditionally dry part of the island.

I want to express gratitude to all the good people out there doing the hard work for our lives on Kaua’i. It’s not easy and the logistics must be a nightmare, but I know they’re professionals and do their jobs with skill and aplomb. 

Because I have an affinity for (is that the right way to put that?) disasters, I submitted to our illustrious Board of Directors to add a sentence to our mission statement here at KKCR: “Disseminate factual emergency response and disaster preparedness information”. And we aim to do it. 

But, hey: don’t give us too much practice. Calm down a bit out there, ok?