FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     February 4, 2005

Release M-15

Contact: Bill Brennan, 527-6928

MAYOR HANNEMANN CALLS FOR HIGH-RISE FIRE SPRINKLERS

In conjunction with the meeting today of the Honolulu City Council’s Residential Fire Safety Advisory Committee, Mayor Mufi Hannemann issued the following statement:

“Public health and safety is the number one concern for the mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.  I emphasized this point during the campaign, and today, I reiterate my support for the retrofitting of those high-rise buildings on our island that are not currently equipped with fire sprinkler systems.

“Two fires just last week, including the fatal one in Waikiki, serve as a wake-up call for the need for sprinkler systems.

“The lives of both our city’s residents and our Honolulu firefighters are at stake here.  I’m aware that it’s costly to retrofit a high-rise building, but if even only one life were to be saved, it will have been worth the investment.

“I look forward to the recommendations of the committee and promise to work with the City Council, the Honolulu Fire Department, building and condominium owners and other stakeholders on this very important safety issue.”

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