 We're going to talk to Kauai Mayor Kauaio, who is a dear, dear friend. And it is heartbreaking to talk about another storm on Kauai. That's the way it is. Kauai is, as you know, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, and according to Marcia, the most beautiful island in the chain. At least it was until the storm. What can I say? Mayor? Aloha. Aloha. Aloha. I am so sorry to talk to you again about the damage, but what can we say? Tell us about what is going on with Kauai. Well, first of all, thank you so much to talk story, Marcia, just to get the word out on what's happening here on Kauai. Of course, the flash flood warning that we were in yesterday, we're all done as of last night, 8.20, so there's no flash flood warning here on Kauai. Everything was canceled. But the next thing, as of this morning, we assembled as a team, now that the rain is subsided, and it's time to get boots on the ground and do our damage assessments. I wanted them to get out as soon as possible so we can address the issues accordingly. And then, of course, seeing what kind of equipment, assets we need, and then working with community to rebuild as soon as can. People are still going through what happened in April, and unfortunately, a lot of the same areas that got damaged in April got severely damaged one more time. So we're going through that along with other parts of our island right now and doing an assessment of the damage. So are you out walking door to door? This morning, I was out walking door to door in the Kauai community. There was a lot of flooding there. The river overflowed again, our Waikomo stream and Waikoko. And so I wanted to revisit the families, the same ones that we did the last time in April, just to follow up. And of course, it's still very sad and trying to get better, and then all of a sudden this happened. So not as severe as the last time, but just going through the whole experience to get brought back that bad memories. And so I wanted to make sure they were okay. So I was out there one house at a time, visiting with them, and then seeing some of the damage like this lady had her roof fall in. So we're an assessment team with us to look forward to helping her and others. Well, we have some pictures that we took from your webpage and about showing the damage, and I wasn't quite sure what was from April and today, this week. However, the damage is just unbelievable. Right, right. And that was in the Kauai area. Now, we went back to the north side of Kauai. That area was totally isolated back in April. And remember the roadways were washed out, the mudslides and all that. So my concern on the north shore was that the work that we've already done with the State Department of Transportation, that it could also be just wiped out again. But fortunately, we're okay as far as the damage to the existing area. There was damage to other areas of the roadway that caused us to actually shut down access again to that particular north shore area of our island. But as of this morning, I'm happy to say that the road has been open again. And so we're monitoring that accordingly as we speak for the north side of our island. And so still, again, our team went out there. They're out there as we speak to do their damage assessment reporting and talking with the families as well on the north side of our island. That's the north side. So now, tell me, Ni Hao is to the west of you? Ni Hao is further north. Did they get any damage? Do you know? Did they get any damage? Ni Hao? No, Ni Hao is fine. We're looking at the storm. It looked like it was sitting right on top of Ni Hao. Yeah, every time we activate our emergency operating center, we have representatives or team or family members of Ni Hao in the house. So we're totally engaged and Ni Hao is fine. And you're right, it is the western part of Kauai, but we're the northern island overall. And so yeah, so Ni Hao is fine. And they offered their help and support as well to Kauai because we use a barge to transfer supplies and stuff from Kauai to Ni Hao. So we had access to their barge should be needed because of closures of our roadways. So we're all good on Ni Hao. Oh, great. Great. This is just a darling place, even though I've not been there. But it's that I guess because it's called Forbidden Island, there's a certain, what do you say? I want to, yes, everybody wants to see a Forbidden Island. I know. So is that the place where Prince Kuhio was born? Is that the one? Ni Hao. Prince Kuhio? Yeah. Not Ni Hao. Yeah, that's our Aloha Island. Yeah, is that where he was born, Prince Kuhio? Yes, that is my understanding. So, OK, so I'm going to come see. And a lot of our white families, of course, live there yet. And in fact, what we're trying to do is preserve the Ni Hao language because we're finding that the language is kind of fading away. So we're working closely with some of the kupuna on Ni Hao and working to preserve the language by actually taking our general plans for this entire island and translating it into Ni Hao language. So there's a Hawaiian version, an English version, and a Ni Hao version of the general plan. Wow. We're trying to keep it going, you know? Yeah, now what's different in the Ni Hao language and the Hawaiian language? OK, the Ni Hao language and how it's delivered does not have any okenas or kakos. You know how you say Maikai? Yes. But okena is Maikai. There's no okena or kakos in that particular language. So it's a different delivery and very special. And so we want to preserve that. And so ha-ha-ha will be ha-ha, you know? And so that kind of difference. Is there a difference? I know there's a difference in your pronunciation, and I hear it differently. But does it have the same meaning? Same meaning. Same meaning. OK. But delivered differently. But delivered differently. So that's a special nest, if you will, of the language that we want to preserve. And then incorporate into the school if we can as a curriculum. So you have a different life. Yeah, so you would have now you have Hawaiian, as we know it, speakers on Kauai. And then you're going to introduce the Ni Hao language also. Right, right. So the children would have three languages. Yeah, we'd have three options there. Just to keep the Ni Hao language alive and moving within the schools and to our kiki. Would that translate to, I mean, would that be taught in other schools, further down the violence? Right now we're working with our immersion schools here on Kauai only. And I believe they're looking at some of the schools on Oahu, but just taking one step at a time. We want to get good solid foundation on it first. And so that's why we're working with our kupuna from Ni Hao and our education specialist. Now, tell me, Ni Hao is, why is it the Forbidden Island? What does that mean? Well, you know, originally Ni Hao, obviously, was to the Hawaiian kingdom, right? Right. The place where our white people, how should I say, were kept and nobody was allowed other than the Hawaiians to step foot on that island for the kingdom. Oh, so is that where we think the Hawaiians originated? Yeah, from Kauai. From Kauai and Ni Hao. So that however they, however you originate, this was the. But now we're totally connected, whether it be for support, emergency purposes, all of that. So beautiful Ni Hao, Shaolais, that they make on Ni Hao. And all of that is preserved, yeah. Well, so now let's get back to you and Kauai and the storm. What happens, how do you make sure that everything that happened in April is taken care of? And now we move to August. So what happens? Yeah, no, no, I'm saying that in terms of FEMA, in terms of the state, how do all of these things come together to make sure those people are whole? How does that work? So we already have a emergency proclamation that I signed as mayor. The governor's side is governor. We had a proclamation declaration from the president. And so all of that placed us in the opportunity to receive funding from the federal government for public safety and individual assistance. Public safety, of course, is a roadways and waterways and all of that. And individual assistance would be opportunities for local families to receive funding to repair and maintain their homes. So all of that footprint that came from the flooding, I'm going to say, in April has its own separate portfolio and assessment plan. All the funding, everything that came within that timeline and timeframe is specific to that, which is why today, which we experienced possible hurricane lane, which should then transform into flood watch and flood warning and all of that. That footprint, we have funding set aside separate from the flooding we had in April. That is why our team members are out boots on the ground today to do onsite assessments on the damage that was done separate from the April flooding. So there may be some similar areas that kind of pick up from there, so we'll determine that at a time. And then there's other areas that we need to look at it as separate. OK, now we're going to take a break. And when we come back, let's talk about the new areas. And the assessment, OK? We'll be right back. This is Think Tech Hawaii, raising public awareness. I just walked by and I said, what's happening, guys? They told me they were making music. My show on Tuesday. I sang this song to you because I think you either are cool or have the potential to be seriously cool. And I want you to come watch my show where I bring in experts who talk all about easy strategies to be healthier, happier, build better relationships, and make your life a success. So come sit with the cool kids at Out of the Comfort Zone on Tuesdays at 1. See you then. Aloha. I'm Marcia Joyner, and this is Community Matters. And today we are talking to our dear, dear friend, the mayor of Kauai, Bernard Kauaiyo, about this horrible, horrible flooding and the things that Mother Nature keeps on doing to the island of Kauai. So Mayor, tell us how you separate the April issue and the August. How do you separate that? Because I know when you're dealing with government forms and all of the stuff, everything has to be separate. So how do you do that? How do you look at a place and say this is, oh, this was April. This was left over from April. And this is something new from September. I keep saying September, August. Yeah, August. Well, the way we do that is, number one, we already have documented all the damage assessment reports from our April flooding that has been completed, which is why this morning our team went out again to do a follow-up assessment. We documented would fall into this time frame. And we're also asking, like we did the last time, all people affected, our families, affected by the flooding event that they can also report their damages online. And that is very helpful, Marsha, that sometimes we miss things. So we're asking our families and businesses out there if they were affected by this particular SW.quad.gov in addition to the boots on the ground for my team. So the team goes door to door, trying to make sure everyone is included. And then, so do they have power so they can get online? Can we speak, as of last night, there was some areas of why he had that was out, but not online as well. Just to get information out to them. So how far are you physically, your offices, from the damage area? How far is that? Your office? Like right here in Lihue, so out to the North Shore is about 30 miles away from here or so, 30, 40 miles from Lihue. Yeah. And full call from our guys going out that limited access to certain areas of the North Shore, which have to have them actually kind of take a detour here and there. So which is a good thing, because then we know, we can tell our people we're not going where they can go. And people who weren't able to cross Hanalei Bridge because the whole bridge was flooded, yeah? So they would have to stay. Yeah, the bridge. That bridge. The pictures of the Hanalei Bridge were everywhere, all over the world. Pictures of the Hanalei Bridge. Hanalei Bridge, that's the main bridge. So once that bridge is out, what happens to the people on the other side? How do they get to the other side? Yeah, so what we do, we of course inform them, we know we have water gauges, we know as the water's rising, we're informing them to vacate now, you know, voluntary evacuation. The ones who choose to stay back are asked to really shelter in place. We are sure we have equipment and supplies already stored on that side of the river. We already have our police and fire and Red Cross teams are ready deployed from that side of the river. So we have a plan in place, Marshal, as we watch the water gauge that we get our guys across should they not have access, at least their services are readily available for them on that side. And FDP, because of emergencies, we have helicopter use and whatever we need. So they would, let's hope you don't have an emergency, but that would bring them to, what is it, Wilcox Hospital? Wilcox Hospital, yes. So they would actually fly in if there's, God forbid, a major emergency health and safety issue or, you know, a situation where there'd be some major, major health issue, we would get our guys in via, you know, that kind of transportation. Well, now the state has issued a brown water notice. Do you have the same issues now where I live? The water went by rather brown yesterday, but do you still have the brown water issues? We currently have a brown water advisory, stay out of flood waters and storm water run out due to the possible overflowing of cesspool, sewer, spandals, et cetera. So we too, Marshal, have a brown water advisory. So really telling our people to stay out of the water right now and sending more information. So with a brown water, I guess all kind of things are in it that you don't know. So you would, if you're in it, you could get some kind of infection. Right, we're saying from, you know, whatever pesticides, animal feces, cesspool, sewers, all of that, there's a potential for that kind of, you know, mix up into our water system so we don't want anybody to get any kind of sickness. So when we get the brown water advisory, we really encourage them to stay away from the water until we open it up again. Now, here's the big question, tourism. Yes. You are the most beautiful island and everybody wants to see it. So how are you dealing with the tourists that were already there? Yeah, so, you know, we have, Tsukanoho are quite visitors. Bureau are pretty advising our hotels, our visitors, very early in the reporting, these are decades or depending on the timing to remain in their hotels. We have evacuation within the hotel areas. All the managers and hotels are part of this team and we pretty much shout out our visitors in place and keep them off the roadway up to a certain point. Well. So they have a plan, each hotel has their own evacuation as well as sheltering plan and resources and supplies, all of that readily available. That's part of our pre-planning with our hotel industry. And if we can, we try to get our visitors, if they choose to do these earlier, earlier in the notice, but most of them choose to stay. So we keep them sheltered in place. Now, did you get, I know in April there was a drop-off on tourism, but did it come back between that time, since that time, has it come back tourism? We were saying, you know, because they were thinking we're pretty much because of the volcanic action happening on Hawaii Island, that it affected the entire state. And we're saying, no, no, no, no, we're ready, come visit our island. The only thing you cannot visit right now on Kauai is on North Shore because of what happened, but every place else is accessible. And I tell you, Marcia, we have a whole lot of tourists and visitors come to Kauai since April. And that's a good thing for us, but now we're in this situation again, yeah? Yeah. But, you know, you need the tourist dollars all this. I'm glad that you're seeing an influx of... Oh, yeah. We had a good, good amount of visitors come here to Kauai since April. Okay. Now, in my little brain that wanders around through all of the myths and legends, one of my favorite is the Minihuni pond on Kauai. That the story goes that the Minihunis built the pond, the fish pond, and they know the Minihunis did it overnight and all of the rocks are laid out in order. So, tell us about the fish pond. Well, let me tell you about, in fact, I was just out at the salt pond. You know, we have our Hawaiian salt makers out there at the Minihunis fish pond. And so we actually are moving both of us this morning to help secure that area. So our salt makers, you can only get Hawaiian salt from here in Kauai that is actually made here to help support them from any kind of access from other kinds of vehicles and stuff. And so the whole idea. Yeah. And make sure that everything is secured before anybody could come and visit and make it safe. So anyway, interesting you asked that question because we're out there this morning actually placing boulders to ensure that the salt makers were kept safe and nobody had access with all kinds of vehicles to get into and damage the possible salt that is making, that is made there. Now, that all ties into the bigger picture like you're saying. Yeah. So, let me add this, you can use it as a marketing tool. The Hawaiian salt made there is not from the ocean. And just last week on National Geographic, they said because of the plastics in the ocean that they're suggesting that you don't use sea salt. So you can use it as a marketing tool that this salt is not from the ocean. So this salt is? No plastics. Separate. Separate. No plastics. No plastics. This is true Hawaiian salt made from a Hawaiian salt maker and families from ages and ages ago. And it's only done in this particular area of our island and it's separate from the ocean. So we need to continue to preserve. And that is why like I said, we're placing boulders and not trying to dig up anything just to keep it to the same kind of character, if you will, and keep the salt bits in good shape. That's a big part there. Well, thank you so much for spending this time with us to take it away from your duties, which are immense. And to thank you again for always being there for us and for taking such a good care of your island. And we will talk to you again soon. Thank you so much, Marcia, Aloha, and I appreciate any time to talk, sorry, and share, you know, Kauai and our hearts with our people. Mahalo. Mahalo, aloha, and we'll see you next time.