HONOLULU (KHON2) — Governor Josh Green, M.D. has signed an emergency proclamation to help improve emergency response time.
On Friday, July 18, Gov. Green authorized Adjutant General, Brigadier General Stephen F. Logan, to activate the National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Logan will use the authorization to commence Operation Hoʻopauahi (to extinguish fire), which will keep an aircrew ready to provide aerial firefighting in emergency wildfire events.
“Our goal is simple — stop wildfires before they become disasters. By launching Operation Hoʻopauahi, we’re giving our counties an immediate tool to respond to fires while they’re still small. This proactive step will help save lives, protect property and strengthen our state’s overall emergency response,” said Gov. Green. “I’m grateful to Brig. Gen. Logan and the entire Hawai‘i National Guard for their swift action and steadfast commitment to protecting our communities.”
The authorization will also allow the National Guard to conduct evacuations and traffic control.
“This authorization and Operation Hoʻopauahi also will allow us to quickly and effectively activate other Hawaiʻi National Guard resources such as evacuation teams, traffic control and security missions,” said Brig. Gen. Logan. “This is an opportunity where the Guard can help to enable a safe, secure and thriving state.”
Operation Hoʻopauahi will keep a helicopter crew ready to fly and provide support in any county in the state, which will help contain a fire in its early stage.
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The full emergency proclamation can be found here.