David Y. Ige

WHAT:                       2015 Great Hawaii ShakeOut

WHEN:                       Thursday, October 15; 10:15 a.m.

WHO:                          The public is invited to participate

COST:                        There is no registration fee

REGISTER:               To register, visit https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/

HONOLULU — Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), formerly State Civil Defense, is encouraging Hawaii’s families, schools and businesses to take part in the statewide Great Hawaii ShakeOut earthquake preparedness drill at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.

The internationally recognized earthquake drill allows people to practice in their homes or at work what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness by following three simple steps: “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” Drills provide an opportunity to update emergency plans and supplies, and to ensure safety in the home and workplace to prevent damage and injury.

The State Department of Education (DOE) will be asking all schools within its jurisdiction to participate in the drill, with the exception of Kauai, where a Teacher Institute Day is being held. Kauai County will participate in the drill at another scheduled time.

Partners supporting this drill in addition to HI-EMA and DOE include local emergency management and civil defense agencies, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, University of Hawaii at Hilo and American Red Cross.

ShakeOut began in Southern California in 2008 as a drill designed to educate the public about how to protect themselves during a large earthquake, and how to get prepared. The Great Hawaii ShakeOut was first recognized by Hawaii County in 2013 with the help and coordination of HVO, the organization that serves as the authoritative source for earthquake information in Hawaii. This year, HI-EMA is spearheading efforts to expand the earthquake preparedness drill across the state.

For more information about this year’s drill or to register your family, school, business or organization, visit https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/.

# # #

Media Contact:

Galen Yoshimoto	Anna Koethe
Public Information Officer	Public Relations Officer
808-733-4300 or 808-620-5408	808-733-4300 or 808-620-5422
[email protected]