Homeowner’s Handbook now available through 8 Sea Grant Programs.
By Cindy Knapman, University of Hawai’i Sea Grant
At the 2013 annual hurricane outlook news conference held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the Sea Grant College Program (UH Sea Grant) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was awarded the 2013 Dr. Arthur Chiu Award for Excellence in Hurricane Preparedness.
UH Sea Grant was selected for its efforts to make Hawai‘i’s communities safer through its excellent work on the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards. The free handbook provides detailed information on how to prepare the home for a hurricane and other natural hazards, and outlines cost-effective steps that can significantly reduce the risks to lives and property.
Doug Mayne, Vice Director of Hawai‘i State Civil Defense said “The Sea Grant College Program has done some great work in promoting disaster resiliency and personal preparedness for Hawai‘i. In 2007 Dennis Hwang and Dr. Darren Okimoto, both of University of Hawaii Sea Grant, wrote the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards. The homeowner’s handbook is an excellent guide for all hazards, but where it really shines is in the descriptive sections on hurricane mitigation measures for single family homes.” He also noted “The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program exemplifies the spirit of the Dr. Arthur N. L. Chiu Award through their continuous work in making Hawai‘i and its coastal communities a safer place.”
With assistance from Dennis Hwang, other state-specific handbooks have been developed with Sea Grant programs in Mississippi, Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Texas, Louisiana as well as the newest version for homeowners in Massachusetts. All are based on the initial Hawai‘i handbook and downloadable versions are available.
