Photos: T. Ilihia Gionson

By T. Ilihia Gionson / Ka Wai Ola Loa

Students from Keaukaha Elementary School, Ka 'Umeke Kā'eo, and Ke Ana La'ahana made a 1.2 mile trek from their schools to the Hilo International Airport on Nov. 2. Drills walking to the airport fence are held each year, and once every three years the keiki walk across the runway to the terminal as they would in an actual evacuation.

From the airport fence gate, the first group of students hoofed it across the runway and to the terminal in under 15 minutes. Students from Kamehameha Preschool and other community members were driven across the runway alongside the keiki.

The majority of Keaukaha, including the schools and the homestead community, is a tsunami zone that must be evacuated should a tsunami warning be issued.

In all, nearly 800 members of the Keaukaha community participated. The drills are a partnership between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Civil Defense, the Hawai'i County Mass Transit Authority, the Department of Transportation Airports Division, and the Keaukaha and Leleiwi community associations. The Hawai'i County Police Department was also involved, including the community bicycle patrol that is supported with an OHA grant.

Photos: T. Ilihia Gionson