A key state lawmaker said time is running out for improving disaster preparedness to better cope with events such as the Oct. 15 earthquakes that cut off electricity to 291,000 customers on O'ahu.

"The events of the last few years have told us that we can't wait much longer," said State Rep. Robert Herkes, D-5th (Ka'u, S. Kona). "We have to get real serious about this."

Herkes, chairman of the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee, said yesterday that he hopes to create a commission of scientists and engineers that would set state policy on how Civil Defense officials deal with statewide emergencies.

Herkes' remarks came after the House Consumer Protection Committee, the House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee and the Senate Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee ended two days of informational hearings on the Oct. 15 earthquakes.

A disaster preparedness commission, which would be headed by an executive director who reports directly to the governor, would establish priorities and guidelines on how Civil Defense officials react to disasters, Herkes said.

While much of the hearing testimony centered on how state, city and travel-industry officials could improve their responses to emergencies, state lawmakers also questioned Hawaiian Electric Co. about its communications efforts during the blackout.

Shortly after the earthquakes, HECO said it was unable to provide regular radio updates to the public because of congested phone lines.

The power failed at 7:27 a.m. after earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 and 6.7 struck off the coast of the Big Island.

But between 8:30 a.m. and about 10 a.m., HECO was unable to contact the state's designated emergency broadcast station, KSSK, because of heavy call volume, said HECO spokeswoman Lynne Unemori.

Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-50th (Kailua, Mokapu) said the "news blackout" was inexcusable.

"What people felt was that you guys didn't care, and you were doing the news shutdown. You would do what you needed to do to get the power back on, but as far as communication, it was just lacking," said Thielen.

"I don't think you're proud of that. I don't think you're comfortable with that."

Robbie Alm, HECO's senior vice president for public affairs, said HECO is taking steps to improve its communications by setting up a dedicated phone line to KSSK.

During future emergencies, the company will send a staffer to the radio station to provide regular updates, he said.

"Clearly, we believe there's more we can say and need to say in circumstances like that," Alm said. "We can do better."

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.