About Emergency Management
The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) System’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is dedicated to ensuring the safety and resilience of our entire UH community across all 10 campuses in Hawaiʻi. Given our unique Pacific geographic location, susceptible to natural hazards such as hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and earthquakes, the OEM plays a critical role in proactive planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. We work collaboratively with campus departments, local and state agencies, and community partners to develop comprehensive emergency plans, conduct regular training and exercises, and educate our students, faculty, and staff on vital safety protocols. Our primary goal is to minimize risks, protect lives and property, and maintain operational continuity during any emergency or disaster.
This office is a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Administration (OVPA)
EP 2.203 - Emergency Management
Mission Statement
The mission of the UH Office of Emergency Management is to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive, all-hazards emergency management program that safeguards UH’s lives, property, and academic mission. We achieve this by fostering a culture of preparedness, promoting effective communication, coordinating efficient response efforts, and facilitating rapid recovery, all while upholding the unique safety considerations inherent to our location in Hawaiʻi.
Vision Statement
The UH Office of Emergency Management envisions a resilient university community where each individual is empowered with the knowledge and resources to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. We aspire to be a leading model of higher education emergency management, continually adapting to emerging threats, embracing innovative practices, and fostering a collaborative environment that ensures the enduring safety and continuity of our campuses, even amidst the diverse challenges presented by our island environments.