by Alice Moon

In partnership with the Pacific Tsunami Museum, the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) and the Hilo Improvement Program (HIP) are offering a Tsunami Preparedness Workshop for businesses, community and families on Tuesday, May 21, from 5-7pm at the Pacific Tsunami Museum (130 Kamehameha Avenue). Featured speakers will include Dr. Gerard Fryer of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on O’ahu, Stafford Oyama, Chair of the DIA Public Safety Committee, and Bill Hanson of Hawaii County Civil Defense.

The workshop will provide tools and important information for business owners whose duty is to protect employees and customers. Everyone will learn to protect irreplaceable assets and better prepare for the next tsunami warning. In the past two years there have been multiple tsunami threats, both from Japan and Canada, and the DIA / HIP encourages all residents and merchants to come and learn more about a phenomenon that is an ever-present threat.

Seating is limited at the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and registration is required so early sign up is encouraged before the Friday, May 10 deadline. Registration is FREE to DIA members (visit www.downtownhilo.com to join) and just $5 per person for non-members. To register or for more information email hiloimprovementprogram@gmail.com, or call (808) 935-8850. The Hilo Improvement Program is a project of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, and is funded through a grant from the Hawaii Corporation for National Community Service. This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under AmeriCorps Grant No. 06AFHHI0010017. Opinions or points of view expressed in this are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, the Corporation of the AmeriCorps program.