Hawaii Governor Creates Panel To Review Emergency Communications

Gov. Lingle

HAWAII Gov. LINDA LINGLE is convening a new communications review panel to look into what changes need to be made to improve communications in the event of emergencies after the recent earthquake pointed out some inadequcies in the present system. 

While CLEAR CHANNEL AC KSSK-A-F/HONOLULU provided saturation coverage of the earthquake including live call-ins from state officials, utility representatives, and listeners, LINGLE says that since many HAWAII residents and tourists are non-English speakers, more non-English-speaking officials need to be designated to convey information in emergencies. 

KSSK aired some calls from non-English-speakers but could not verify who was calling and in which language some of the calls were being made. In addition, while CLEAR CHANNEL and COX stations remained on the air using generators, state officials only contacted CLEAR CHANNEL and not COX. 

LINGLE has appointed her former communications adviser LENNY KLOMPUS, currently working on her reelection campaign, to head the panel on a volunteer basis. Among the ideas floated by the Governor is the possibility of an official state government radio station.

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