Posted on: Friday, May 2, 2003
HAWAIIAN STYLE
An emergency place to run state
She won't get a mint on her pillow, but Gov. Linda Lingle would likely get first pick of the bunks if attack or natural disaster sends the government into the State Civil Defense bunker deep inside in Diamond Head.
"If anything happens to shut down government, we are organized and funded to re-constitute government down here," Civil Defense spokeswoman Barbara Hendrie said of the Birkhimer Emergency Operating Center, nestled beneath as much as 15 feet of concrete and earth within Diamond Head Crater.
Built in 1916 as a weapons and munitions storage facility — Diamond Head also was home to a battery of huge mortars for coastal defense — the underground fortress today is chock-a-block with computer and emergency communications equipment.
"We could largely run the state — on a very basic level — from down here," Hendrie said.
Still mounted to walls is survival gear: mustard gas detectors, emergency blankets, fire extinguishers, oxygen tanks, rope and first-aid kits.
"We have to be able to deal with any hazard that comes," Hendrie said, including hurricanes, tsunami, earthquake or terrorist attack.
Luckily, Hendrie said Hawai'i is "ahead of the (emergency planning) game" because of our "fend for yourselves" mentality about preparedness and the Islands' large military presence.
Sept. 11 drove the agency's mission home. "It's not a question of if, but when," Hendrie said.
The recent cruise line threat hoax and emergency response — along with recent incidents involving alleged anthrax, dengue fever, and now SARS — has kept officials sharp, she said.
One real test came in 1992 during Hurricane 'Iniki, which devastated Kaua'i and caused significant damage in Leeward O'ahu. in 1992, "This place was full! We went around the clock," Hendrie said. It was, she said, civil defense's "worst nightmare."
Inside the shelter is enough MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) rations for 200 people for two weeks. The rations get "swapped out" for fresh ones every few years, with the Birkhimer MREs going to troops training at Pohakuloa. For an extended disaster, National Guard cooks could staff the fully equipped kitchen.
Air conditioning, electricity and full computer and emergency communications capabilities would run off generators. There's even a TV studio for broadcasts by the governor.
A 20,000-gallon water storage tank outside — and a smaller one within the bunker, would guarantee water for cooking and bathing in the modern bathrooms.
Alas, Hendrie said, much of the ol' bunker's nurturing comfort is for naught, thanks to modern warfare: "This was built to withstand conventional mortar fire — it was never intended to withstand a direct nuclear hit" or a bunker-busting bomb.
"Today's technology wouldn't have a difficult time with this place. Even the (older) Gulf War technology could fairly level this place," she said.
"This is basically intended to keep government going — it is NOT intended to become a home-away-from-home."
The Advertiser's Wade Kilohana Shirkey is kumu of Na Hoalaoha O Ka Roselani No'eau. He writes on Island life.
