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

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.