LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i National Guard’s 93rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST), will host a full-scale, multi-agency emergency response exercise on Thursday at Nawiliwili Harbor.
This is part of a week-long training series aimed at enhancing preparedness for hazardous materials incidents and natural or human-caused emergencies.
“Preparedness is one of the most important investments we can make for our island,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “When our agencies and partners train side by side under realistic conditions, they build the trust and coordination that make all the difference when a real emergency strikes. Mahalo to every agency and responder taking part this week for your dedication to keeping the people of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau safe.”
The full-scale exercise will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with operations focused at Nawiliwili Harbor, in the parking lot area between the jetty and Nawiliwili Park. Officials ask for the public’s cooperation and awareness near training areas, especially around Nawiliwili Harbor on Thursday, and to avoid areas with marked emergency vehicles and personnel.
The exercise will include participation from a wide range of agencies and disciplines, including the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD), Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), American Medical Response (AMR), Wilcox Medical Center through the Hawai‘i Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition (HHEM), Matson Navigation Company, and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Harbors Division.
Training activities will take place from July 25-31 at multiple sites across the island, involving a variety of drills including hazardous materials decontamination, survey and triage operations, communications testing and emergency operations coordination.
“Every exercise like this gives our first responders and emergency management partners the chance to practice how an initial response expands into a larger, multiagency operation as an incident grows in complexity,” said KEMA Administrator Elton Ushio. “Training together under realistic conditions helps us identify gaps, strengthen working relationships, and improve the coordination and resource support we rely on when our community needs us most.”
For more information, contact the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800 or KEMA@kauai.gov.