Bill Text: HI SB2502 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Hawaii Civil Air Patrol; Appropriation
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-23 - (H) Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 04-23-10 at 5:30pm in Conference Room 312. [SB2502 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2502-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2502 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
making an appropriation to the hawaii civil air patrol for operating expenses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii civil air patrol is a civilian volunteer auxiliary service of the United States Air Force. The three missions of the Hawaii civil air patrol are providing emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education. The Hawaii civil air patrol serves the State and the nation through homeland security and humanitarian efforts and has over five hundred members who provide volunteer public service. The Hawaii civil air patrol consists of three squadrons and four aircraft on Oahu, one squadron and two aircraft on Kauai, one squadron and one aircraft on Maui, and two squadrons and two aircraft on the island of Hawaii. All volunteers are trained and ready to execute emergency service missions, including tsunami warning, search and rescue, damage assessment, aerial homeland security support, and counter-drug reconnaissance.
Since the 1950s, tsunami warning has been the Hawaii civil air patrol's primary mission in Hawaii. Recently, in October 2006, following the earthquake, Hawaii civil air patrol units and crews assisted the Hawaii county civil defense by taking photographs of damaged sites. In November 2006, Hawaii civil air patrol units flew tsunami watch sorties over north and west Oahu to warn beachgoers to evacuate. In January 2007, the Hawaii civil air patrol alerted beachgoers on the Na Pali coast to the possibility of a tsunami. There is no other tsunami airborne warning capability in Hawaii outside the Hawaii civil air patrol.
Even more vital is the role that the Hawaii civil air patrol plays in providing volunteers for emergency services. The Hawaii civil air patrol participates in disaster relief operations by augmenting the operations of the United States Coast Guard. Recently, in July 2002, the Hawaii civil air patrol was instrumental in locating a small plane that went down on Maui. In February 2004, the Hawaii civil air patrol located the missing air ambulance near Hilo. In December 2008, the Hawaii civil air patrol ran an aerial damage assessment mission to assist Kauai civil defense in gauging damage caused by recent storms and flooding.
In addition, the Hawaii civil air patrol also has a fully developed cadet program that challenges and educates over two hundred cadets in leadership, military science, aerospace education, emergency services, and citizenship. The cadet program includes a critical summer encampment for cadets that provides a comprehensive course covering leadership, team-building, drill and ceremonies, and exposure to the Hawaii civil air patrol and the United States Air Force. The encampment is a requirement for a cadet to progress through the ranks.
Recently, the Hawaii civil air patrol, Hawaii Wing has been downsized by one aircraft by their National Headquarters due to the minimum flying of their assigned aircraft. The number of tsunami training missions and training flights for the State of Hawaii has been minimized and the Hawaii civil air patrol flies and trains only on the availability of state civil defense funds.
The legislature finds that the Hawaii civil air patrol requires state funding to allow it to continue its vital tsunami warning operations.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for the fiscal year 2010‑2011 for the Hawaii civil air patrol to continue its missions in the State of Hawaii, including its tsunami warning operations.
SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaii Civil Air Patrol; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Hawaii civil air patrol for tsunami operations in Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
