RECOGNIZING AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE CAPACITY, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

SCR61

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

61

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

recognizing and expressing appreciation for the United
states Armed Forces' contributions to the state's emergency preparedness,
response capacity, and community resilience
.

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WHEREAS, the
State's geographic isolation and limited in-state capacity for certain
specialized emergency and medical services require strong coordination among
state, federal, and armed forces partners; and

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WHEREAS, the
United States Armed Forces maintain unique capabilities in aeromedical
evacuation, logistics, and emergency response that supplement limited in-state
civilian resources; and

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WHEREAS, following
the devastating fireworks explosion in Aliamanu on December 31, 2024, the
Queen's Medical Center experienced an immediate surge in critically injured
burn victims and their affected family members, placing extraordinary strain on
the State's limited burn care capacity; and

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WHEREAS, recognizing
the urgent need for specialized treatment beyond the State's available
resources, armed forces leadership stationed in the State acted swiftly and
decisively to coordinate aeromedical evacuation and airlift support, enabling
injured patients to be transported to specialized burn centers in the
continental United States for advanced, life-saving care; and

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WHEREAS, the
United States Armed Forces' rapid response reflected on-the-ground leadership,
operational readiness, and a clear understanding of the State's healthcare
limitations, all of which ensured that families affected by the Aliamanu
tragedy received timely access to appropriate medical treatment; and

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WHEREAS, during
recent natural disasters, including the 2023 Maui wildfires, the United States Armed
Forces also supported emergency response efforts by deploying personnel,
aircraft, lift capacity, and logistical resources to assist civilian agencies
and first responders; and

����
WHEREAS, communities
in the State honor the service and sacrifice of service members through events
such as Military Appreciation Day, which is held at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
and includes the Kaneohe Bay Air Show; and

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WHEREAS, the
Kaneohe Bay Air Show is a free public event that welcomes residents, service
members, United States Department of Defense civilian employees, first
responders, and family members and features aerial demonstrations by the United
States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Blue Angels,
and other armed forces units; and

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WHEREAS, these
coordinated efforts demonstrate strong collaboration among state agencies,
healthcare providers, first responders, and armed forces partners and
underscore the United States Armed Forces' critical role in providing
life-saving support during emergencies, which strengthens the State's emergency
preparedness, response capacity, and community resilience; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that this
body recognizes and appreciates the United States Armed Forces' contributions
to the State's emergency preparedness, response capacity, and community
resilience; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body affirms the importance of continued coordination and
effective communication among county, state, federal, and armed forces partners
to strengthen emergency response capabilities, ensure timely life-saving
support during emergencies, and protect the health and safety of the State's
residents; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent
Resolution be transmitted to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander
of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and Adjutant General.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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United
States Armed Forces; Emergency Preparedness; Community Resilience; Recognition;
Appreciation