• Kaua‘i and the bio-terrorism exercises Kaua‘i and the bio-terrorism exercises Kaua‘i is again in the national news. This time for its response to a practice bioterrorism attack, instead of surfing or a dog stranded in the Pacific aboard an
• Kaua‘i and the bio-terrorism exercises
Kaua‘i and the bio-terrorism exercises
Kaua‘i is again in the national news. This time for its response to a practice bioterrorism attack, instead of surfing or a dog stranded in the Pacific aboard an abandoned freighter.
The nation’s first drive-through clinic set up as a dry run answer to a bioterrorism attack was set up Thursday morning at Vidinha Stadium, and run by the Kaua‘i Civil Defense Agency and state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office leaders.
The concept being tried aimed at finding out the best and fastest way to dispense medication from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to victims of bioterroism attack, using local facilities and personnel.
Interestingly, the victims were supposed to have been attacked at a weekend surf meet being held at Kealia Beach, adding a touch of surfing culture to the event.
The strong turnout of volunteers, who gave their time in exchange for a $5 gift certificate, the high level of cooperation about county, state and federal agencies, as well as members of the health profession, showed that Kaua‘i has what it takes in dealing with emergencies. This legacy comes in part from our experiences following Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992 and Hurricane ‘Iwa in 1982.
Hopefully, a terrorist attack will never reach our shores, though in this turbulent days of global terrorism one never knows for certain.
That Kaua‘i was chosen for this exercise shows there is favor for the Island and its people on high levels in the federal government, and is an extension of the vision that Hawai‘i Senator Daniel Inouye has for developing Kaua‘i’s high-tech and research fields.
As this week of action winds to an end today, we are better prepared for the dangers of the future. We’ve also made our mark in the extensive world of federal and state terrorism defense and response; and shown that the aloha of Kaua‘i’s residents reaches out in times of danger as well as in times of peace.
