Many current Kauai Electric employees helped rebuild the island’s electrical transmission and distribution systems, twice, after hurricanes wrecked it in 1982 and 1992. Each time, the rebuilding incorporated stronger, tougher, harder materials to try to lessen future damage. And, because
Many current Kauai Electric employees helped rebuild the island’s electrical transmission and distribution systems, twice, after hurricanes wrecked it in 1982 and 1992.
Each time, the rebuilding incorporated stronger, tougher, harder materials to try to lessen future damage.
And, because the entire system, essentially, is just 10 years old, the manager of KE is as confident as he can be that the employees of the company are as prepared as they can be for the next disaster.
Hurricane and disaster preparedness is practiced on a daily basis, said Alton Miyamoto, KE vice president and general manager.
Besides adding additional guy wires to certain strategic poles, especially those carrying larger, transmission lines, KE employees on an annual basis review and update the company emergency preparedness manual.
The manual outlines various steps to be taken when hurricane watches or warnings are announced, or other disasters are predicted or arrive, with alternative actions prescribed if the preferred move is not an option, he explained.
“We’re prepared as best as we can be,” he said.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
