Civil Defense Advisory Council

The Civil Defense Advisory Council advises the Hawaii Department of Defense and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency on emergency preparedness, disaster response, and civil defense planning across the state. It reviews preparedness plans, recommends improvements to warning and response systems, and advises on how Hawaii's unique island geography affects disaster vulnerability and resilience. The council's guidance covers natural disasters, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other emergency scenarios.

Hawaii's geographic isolation makes disaster preparedness especially critical, and this council's recommendations affect how well the state is prepared to protect residents in emergencies ranging from hurricanes to tsunamis. Residents can follow the council's public proceedings and engage with their county civil defense agencies on preparedness planning.