Case Studies
Jun 22, 2022

Exploring Household Preparedness for Volcanic Eruptions of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, Hawai‘i

Publication: Natural Hazards Review
Volume 23, Issue 4

Abstract

This study examines household preparedness for volcanic eruptions of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa in Hawai‘i. Specifically, correlation and regression analyses were conducted to test which variables (i.e., demographics, risk perception, hazard intrusiveness, affective response, hazard agent characteristics, risk area, and community bondedness) have significant effects on two measures of hazard adjustment (i.e., household emergency preparedness and perceived stakeholder preparedness). Regression results showed that community bondedness, household income (i.e., one of the demographics), and risk area predicted household emergency preparedness. In addition, community bondedness and risk area predicted perceived stakeholder preparedness. These results indicate that future research should include more detailed examinations of people’s hazard adjustments, the psychological reactions that motivate those hazard adjustments, and the antecedents of those psychological reactions. Finally, the data revealed that Kīlauea and Mauna Loa respondents had, on average, low levels of risk perception and hazard intrusiveness, so it is important for local emergency managers to increase residents’ volcano hazard awareness and preparedness for future volcanic threats.

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Data Availability Statement

Some data support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. These available data include household emergency preparedness, perceived stakeholder preparedness, demographics, risk perception, hazard intrusiveness, affective response, hazard agent characteristics, risk area, and community bondedness.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant SEES-1331353. I greatly thank Dr. Michael Lindell, Dr. Chris Gregg, and Ms. Ashleigh Reeves for their data collection and helpful comments. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Natural Hazards Review
Volume 23Issue 4November 2022

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Received: Apr 3, 2021
Accepted: Apr 12, 2022
Published online: Jun 22, 2022
Published in print: Nov 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Nov 22, 2022

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Assistant Professor, Dept. of Security, Fire, and Emergency Management, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 W 59th St., New York, NY 10019. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1658-1335. Email: [email protected]

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