Phase I Final Report

(Photo: D. Eversole)

Executive Summary

This report is a product of the Waikiki Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Project, conducted through a partnership between the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The project aims to help facilitate a quick and successful recovery for Waikiki, a district which has significant historic, cultural, and economic importance for the State. Based on the principles of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster Recovery Framework, this report provides recommendations for pre-disaster recovery planning and identifies steps necessary to move forward in the recovery planning process. The report is a guide for planning and decision-making, and should not be considered a finalized plan. It is hoped that Waikiki stakeholders will use the recommendations in this report to further the recovery planning and coordination process to develop and formalize a pre-disaster recovery plan for Waikiki.

The project included the following steps and products: 1) extensive research on recovery principles and planning, 2) a vulnerability assessment of Waikiki, 3) stakeholder engagement and input, and 4) a final report of recommendations. Through stakeholder and community engagement, recovery goals and a shared vision for recovery were identified. These goals include the safety of residents and visitors, restoration of economic activity and the environment, and a stronger, more sustainable community – all achieved through a collaboration across multiple sectors.

The recommendations address three main elements of recovery for Waikiki: the Authorization of a recovery organization, the operational structure of that organization and Recovery Operations, and the Long-Term Redevelopment strategies for Waikiki.

The report presents options for establishing authority during recovery. One option is the adoption of a recovery ordinance, based on the American Planning Association’s Model Recovery Ordinance. This draft ordinance proposes authorizing a recovery organization and identifies planning and recovery activities. A Memorandum of Agreement between the recovery organization and others may be another vehicle to establish recovery authorities and responsibilities prior to a disaster. Based on research, the report recommends a recovery organizational structure consisting of five (5) core staff reporting to a Recovery Coordinator. These include coordinator positions for Planning, Finance and Administration, Safety, Outreach, and Operations. The Operations Liaison would coordinate recovery operational activities through five (5) operations support function branches: Infrastructure, Debris Management, Economy, Community Services, and Natural and Cultural Resources.

Once recovery transitions into long-term recovery, redevelopment plans should include strategies to reduce risk to future disasters and make improvements to development patterns that increase sustainability, economic viability, housing accessibility, and connectivity within the community. Based on existing vulnerabilities and stakeholder input, this report recommends strategies to reduce risk (both physical and regulatory) and alternatives for redevelopment.

Moving forward, it is important to remember that pre-disaster recovery planning is a process – where priorities and information will continue to evolve, requiring further planning. The Waikiki Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Project starts the process of planning for recovery and promotes options for developing a more resilient and sustainable Waikiki.