MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, left, shakes hands with Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander of the 14th Coast Guard district after signing a memorandum of agreement Thursday (Feb 2). The memorandum coordinates local and federal responders together while conducting search and rescue missions. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony L. Soto

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard signed a memorandum of agreement with Maui and Hawaii Counties to improve coordination and maintain consistent interoperability during search and rescue missions Thursday (Feb 2).

Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, met with Mayors Alan M. Arakawa of Maui County and William P. Kenoi of Hawaii County at each mayor’s respective city hall. Ray signed the agreements, which set forth terms by which the local fire departments, Ocean Safety, Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu, and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu will coordinate and carry out civil and military search and rescue missions.

The objective of this agreement is to provide an instrument by which the local and federal responders will render timely notification and cooperative assistance to one another while conducting SAR missions. By doing so, responders can fully leverage each organization’s unique assets, capabilities, and local knowledge while conducting SAR missions.

“This agreement offers benefits to both local and federal responders,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Derrenbacher of Sector Honolulu. “But the real benefits go to the citizens who live in and visit the Hawaiian Islands. We’re here to serve the public by providing them the best rescue, response capabilities and coordination possible to save lives.”