Bill Text: HI HR220 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Recognizing And Honoring The Organizations Puuhonua O Puna, Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster, Hawaii Habitat For Humanity Association, Hawaii Island United Way, The Salvation Army - Hawaiian And Pacific Islands, The American Red Cross Of Hawaii, And Their Many Volunteers For The Service And Support Given To The Big Island Community During The 2018 Kilauea Lava Flow.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-28 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR220 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HR220-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

220

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Recognizing and honoring the organizations Puuhonua O puna, Hawaii voluntary organizations active in disaster, Hawaii habitat for humanity association, hawaii island united way, the salvation army - hawaiian and pacific islands, the american red cross of hawaii, and their many volunteers for the service and support given to the big island community during the 2018 kilauea lava flow.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, on May 3, 2018, the world witnessed the beginning of the most destructive lava flow in the State of Hawaii's recorded history; and

 

     WHEREAS, the 2018 Kilauea eruption in Pahoa, Hawaii, resulted in the evacuation of approximately two thousand area residents, the loss of more than seven hundred homes, the destruction of one thousand six hundred acres of farmland, the wreckage of millions of dollars of infrastructure, and the economic devastation of local residents and the small business community; and

 

     WHEREAS, many organizations and individual volunteers, some of whom were victims of the 2018 Kilauea lava flow themselves, donated their time, money, and material goods to the victims; and

 

     WHEREAS, in February 2019, a number of organizations and individual volunteers were honored in Pahoa for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the victims of the 2018 Kilauea lava flow, including the Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Hawaii Manoa Ecological Determinants Lab, County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development, County of Hawaii Office of Aging, County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Hope Services Hawaii, World Central Kitchen, Bodacious Women of Nanawale, J&W Tour and Taxi, Mainstreet Pahoa Association, Project Vision Hawaii, Aloha Association, Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Child and Family Service, Connect Point Church, Hawaii First Community Foundation, Hawaii Community Ventures, East Hawaii Family Guidance Center, Hawaiian Community Assets, Hilo Vet Center, Kailua-Kona Vet Center, Hilo Medical Center, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Interfaith Communities in Action, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Neighborhood Place of Puna, Ikaika Marzo, and April Buxton; and

 

     WHEREAS, the breadth of the disaster was so extensive and unpredictable due to the unknown path and duration of the lava flow, causing organizations to expend far more money and deploy many more volunteers than would be expected in other disasters; and

 

     WHEREAS, amid the fear and uncertainty that followed the opening of the fissures in Leilani Estates, many organizations and individuals rallied together to serve the unprecedented and ever-changing needs of the community during what would become the most destructive natural event in the history of Hawaii's Puna region; and

 

     WHEREAS, in May 2018, the organization Puuhonua o Puna was established under the leadership of local volunteers in response to the unique and growing community needs stemming from the Kilauea lava flow; and

 

     WHEREAS, Puuhonua o Puna served as a community resource center during the 2018 Kilauea lava flow crisis, providing affected residents with valuable information, hot meals, bedding, clothing, diapers, pet food, tents, and other essentials; and

 

     WHEREAS, through its work to support, unify, and empower victims of the 2018 Kilauea lava flow, Puuhonua o Puna served as a catalyst for future community-based efforts and became a symbol of inspiration, resiliency, and hope among the Puna community; and

 

     WHEREAS, during the 2018 Kilauea lava flow, Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster served the affected community by coordinating and collaborating with nonprofits, faith-based groups, community organizations, government agencies, and private sector partners to ensure that resources and volunteers were utilized in the most efficient way possible; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association, the support organization for Hawaii's five local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, served the community affected by the 2018 Kilauea lava flow by building temporary housing, collecting and distributing supplies and donations, and securing financial resources for the building of temporary shelters, among many other efforts; and

 

WHEREAS, since 1967, Hawaii Island United Way has worked to unite people, organizations, and resources to build a healthier community and during the 2018 Kilauea lava flow, the organization served the affected community by assisting displaced residents with rental and mortgage payments, helping the nonprofit Project Vision Hawaii purchase a truck to haul a Hiehie mobile shower trailer to residents, and donating substantial funds for temporary housing at Sacred Heart Shelter; and

 

WHEREAS, The Salvation Army - Hawaiian and Pacific Islands, a well-established and comprehensive network of social services and religious programs in Hawaii that serves thousands of men, women, and children each year, supported 2018 Kilauea lava flow evacuees with financial assistance, meal coordination, management of distribution centers, general support at emergency shelters, and donations to fund the construction of temporary shelters; and

 

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross of Hawaii, an organization that prevents and alleviates human suffering in emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors, expended a substantial proportion of its resources, including thousands of volunteer hours, to provide shelter, counseling, and general aid for recovery efforts and to alleviate human suffering during the 2018 Kilauea lava flow; and

 

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross of Hawaii also made a generous donation of $75,000 to help provide safe and secure shelter for the most vulnerable evacuees during the disaster; and

 

WHEREAS, the service and support to the community affected by the 2018 Kilauea lava flow provided by Puuhonua o Puna, Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association, Hawaii Island United Way, The Salvation Army - Hawaiian and Pacific Islands, and American Red Cross of Hawaii reflects the compassion of the individuals within these organizations and serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to the people of Hawaii; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that this body hereby recognizes and congratulates Puuhonua o Puna, Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association, Hawaii Island United Way, The Salvation Army - Hawaiian and Pacific Islands, and American Red Cross of Hawaii for their service to the community affected by the 2018 Kilauea lava flow and extends its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:  

2018 Kilauea Lava Flow; Volunteers; Recognition

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