Hawaii Remains Safe for Residents and Visitors

By Wendy Osher

Governor Neil Abercrombie and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa take a break for lunch during the Governor's site visit of damaged areas on Maui and the Big Island following last week's earthquake in Japan and Pacific-wide tsunami. Photo courtesy County of Maui.

Governor Neil Abercrombie issued a statement today reassuring residents and visitors that there is no danger to Hawai’i following the nuclear emergency in Japan.

Gov. Abercrombie echoed comments made by President Barack Obama saying no harmful levels of radiation are expected to reach the state.

Gov. Abercrombie explained that, “based on all available information, state and federal experts do not anticipate any risk of harmful radiation exposure to our islands. We are open for business. Hawai’i continues to be the world’s paradise,” he said.

In an attempt to settle nerves the governor assured the people of Hawaii that there is no need to take protective measures at this time.   “Our state Department of Health is working closely with state, county and federal agencies to monitor the situation on a minute-to-minute basis. Ongoing updates and informational sessions are taking place with federal authorities,” said the Governor.

“In the meantime, we continue to send our aloha to the people of Japan. As one island people to another, we stand with them in solidarity and in sympathy for the challenges they are facing,” he said.

Here on Maui, Mayor Alan Arakawa will be a special guest on a live televised program set to air at 5:30 tonight on Channel 54. The program hosted by Chivo Ching-Johnson, with also include commentary from Maui District Health Officer Dr. Lorrin Pang.  The state Department of Health has already stated that Hawaii residents are not at presently at risk, and should not seek or injest Potassium Iodine, or KI.

*** Story on Potassium Iodide.