The state Department of Education and state Vice Director of Civil Defense Edward Teixeira have been honored for their hurricane preparedness efforts.

Jim Weyman, director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service’s Honolulu Forecast Office, presented the awards yesterday during an annual hurricane season prediction conference.

The Department of Education received the Dr. Arthur Chiu Hurricane Preparedness Award, given annually to an organization or individual for innovation or excellence in hurricane preparedness.

Chiu was a University of Hawaii engineering professor for 42 years, a longtime professor emeritus, an international expert on the effects of wind on structures and key member of the Hawaii State Hurricane Advisory Committee.

He received the prestigious United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization/Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction Award in 2005.

Weyman commended the DOE for retrofitting public schools to serve as emergency shelters, designating 161 public schools to serve as special-needs shelters and providing "pet-friendly emergency shelters" at 55 schools.

Randy Moore, assistant superintendent of the office of school facilities and support services, accepted the department’s award.

Teixeira received an award last given by the National Weather Service 10 years ago to recognize outstanding achievements in hurricane preparedness.

Weyman said Teixeira has "dedicated his life to helping people of Hawaii plan and prepare not only for hurricanes, but all natural and man-made challenges."

He said the Civil Defense official "works tirelessly" throughout the year on preparedness, leading exercises and conference calls and working with other government agencies and officials.

"In preparing for an approaching hurricane or other challenges, he is the one to bring people together, and he’s also the one to ask hard questions," Weyman said. The outstanding accomplishments and planning by Teixeira and his team "will serve the people of Hawaii for many years to come," he said.