Ensuring the safety of seniors (kupuna) in emergencies: Agencies emphasize the critical role of community assistance during crises.
Rewritten Article:
The Hawaii Legislature recently passed a resolution advocating for increased emergency preparedness to safeguard its elderly population, known as kupuna. Both emergency responders and elder support groups agree that community involvement is key to elevating kupuna protection.
As HCR37 progressed through House and Senate committees, from its introduction on March 3 to its adoption on April 16, it garnered numerous supportive testimonies but lacked a clear plan for protecting kupuna beyond existing response efforts. Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, Talmadge Magno, expressed concern, stating the resolution is "very, very broad" without specific funding or program guidance [1].
Magno shared his agency's success in partnering with the county's Office of Aging and the Department of Parks and Recreation during a recent Waikoloa Village fire evacuation. Through these collaborations, essential senior evacuees and their support networks were identified, and buses were promptly dispatched from Kailua-Kona for their safe evacuation [2].
Magno emphasized the agency's commitment to continuing its effective response protocols, along with hosting numerous disaster preparedness fairs each year at various locations. Last year, fairs were held in Waimea and Hilo, with two more planned for Kailua-Kona and Pahoa this year. Hoping to expand outreach, Magno revealed four emergency prep opportunities are planned for 2026, in addition to smaller education events offered through clubs and venues by request, and appearances at larger health fairs [2].
To foster a more cooperative response to emergencies, Magno encourages kupuna's neighbors to engage with each other, ensuring they know who might need assistance. He also encourages the community to contact Civil Defense directly to help identify the most vulnerable individuals [1].
AARP's support of the resolution reflects a shared concern about the lack of specific guidance for protecting kupuna in emergency situations. The nonprofit noted a similar issue in the Lahaina Fire Final Phase Three report, which saw two-thirds of the disaster's fatalities among seniors, yet the report lacked initiatives solely focused on reducing kupuna deaths [3].
AARP Hawaii State Director, Keali'i Lopez, suggested increased community action, encouraging neighbors to help one another, with government support and leadership. Lopez highlighted AARP's work promoting disaster resilience, including organizing communities in advance of a disaster, and partnering with the Saint Bernard Project to develop emergency plans for senior living facilities [3].
Lopez also mentioned the 44-page Disaster Resilience Toolkit, developed by AARP in collaboration with FEMA, providing comprehensive resources for kupuna [3]. Additionally, the Alzheimer's Association offers guidance for assisting seniors suffering from Alzheimer's during disasters [3].
Ultimately, the strongest resource for preserving kupuna during disasters is community support, emphasized by both AARP and Magno [1][3]. Besides legislative efforts and formal disaster response systems, grassroots initiatives like Our Kupuna's hyper-local food security programs can play a crucial role in ensuring kupuna receive essentials with dignity [4].
By leveraging community engagement, cultural practices, and neighbor-to-neighbor assistance, we can create a resilient safety net tailored to kupuna's unique needs and vulnerabilities.
[1] https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/04/23/breaking-news/legislature-acting-on-call-to-enhance-protections-for-hawaii-kupuna/[2] https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/04/17/hawaii-county-targeting-specific-steps-boosting-disaster-preparedness/[3] https://www.modernhonolulu.com/culture/aarp-supports-hawaii-legislatures-plan-to-boost-disaster-preparedness-for-kupuna/[4] https://hawaiiupdates.com/2023/04/hawaii-kupuna-communities-band-together-for-emergencies/
- Protecting the elderly population, known as kupuna, requires increased community involvement, as emphasized by both emergency responders and elder support groups.
- The Hawaii Legislature recently passed a resolution to elevate kupuna protection in emergency situations, but it lacked specific plans beyond existing response efforts.
- To foster a more cooperative response, it's crucial for neighbors to engage with one another, identifying those who might need assistance, and to contact Civil Defense directly for help.
- AARP supports the resolution and encourages community action, with a focus on partnerships, disaster resilience, and emergency plans for senior living facilities.
- The Alzheimer's Association offers guidance for assisting seniors suffering from Alzheimer's during disasters, and the Disaster Resilience Toolkit, developed by AARP in collaboration with FEMA, provides comprehensive resources for kupuna.
- Grassroots initiatives like Our Kupuna's hyper-local food security programs can play a crucial role in ensuring kupuna receive essentials with dignity, in addition to legislative efforts and formal disaster response systems.
