The multi-agencies exercise explores the Kolekole collar as an access route to the emergency room for West Oahu

Honolulu (Hawaiinewsnow) – The artillery bunkers of the former First World War are the communities of Makaha, Waianae and Nanakuli – communities which would be trapped if a major emergency closed the Farrington motorway.

Honolulu First speakers, and the American navy and the army organized a large -scale exercise on Wednesday to determine whether the Kolekole collar could be used as a route to viable emergencies.

The road connects the Schofield barracks and the Lualuerei basic basic Lualuerei (JBPHH) annex to Nanakuli by crossing the mountain range of Waianae.

The army is in charge of the opening of access to Schofield while the side of Waianae falls under the jurisdiction of the navy.

“It was long to have access to the Kolekole collar as an emergency road. See and be part of the collaboration between city, state and federal agencies is absolutely phenomenal, “said Tiana Wilbur, a Makaha resident and member of the neighborhood council.

The multi-agencies exercise, called Fortress Shield, simulated a major explosion at the Hawaiian Electric power plant, closing Farrington Highway.

“In the event of an emergency, it would start with the City and the County of Honolulu who held hands in the US military to request access to the Kolekole pass,” said Colonel Rachel Sullivan, commander of the army army American Garrison Hawaii.

“This exercise gives us the opportunity to refine our processes and ensure that we are ready to respond to the requests of the civil authorities,” added Captain Samuel White, commander of joint base Pearl Harbor-Mini.

Military leaders work with the first stakeholders in the city and the county of Honolulu, such as the Honolulu police service, as well as the State Transport Department and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA).

“Many of my family and military friends live on this side, so it is very important for us to have alternative evacuation options. This was a deep advance for our community on the west side, “said executive director of Hi-EMA, Don Aweau.

The members of the HNN community spoke of saying that it was long to come, and they are happy to see progress in exploring the possibility of using this path.

“We only have one path to go and in a way out. For decades, we have had serious concerns about how we will evacuate in the event of a natural disaster or, the prohibited sky, something like what happened in Maui. If the road is closed, there is no access outside our coast, “said Wilbur. “It’s exciting to see the city, state and federal agencies come together in this way.”

At one point, Kolekole Pass was used as a suburban route for civilians traveling between West Oahu and Central Oahu. However, the army claims that this will probably never come back because of the dangers along the road and the presence of a range of live shots along a part of the route.

Wednesday, Wednesday was an important first step to explore Kolekole Pass as a way of access to viable emergencies for future emergencies.