On the evening of July 29, MTM Transit’s Big Island team in Hawaii proved what it means to lead with heart, professionalism, and urgency. When a powerful offshore earthquake triggered a tsunami threat across Hawaii, our team jumped into action and mobilized quickly to support emergency evacuations and ensure the safety of our community’s most vulnerable residents.
With little advance notice, our team coordinated the safe evacuation of paratransit riders from designated tsunami evacuation zones. The situation was made even more complex by cruise ships forced to depart early for deeper waters, leaving some passengers—particularly on the Hilo side—stranded. Rising to the challenge, our team didn’t hesitate to assist, transporting both stranded cruise passengers and our regular paratransit riders to local shelters.
As the threat subsided, our focus turned to helping evacuees return home. That meant once again stepping up, this time to coordinate safe return trips from shelters and ensure every individual reached their destination.
This exceptional effort required close, real-time coordination with our valued partners at the Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (Hele-On), Hawaii County Civil Defense, and other state and local emergency response agencies. Thanks to the strength of these partnerships and the rapid, organized response of our team, everyone was transported out of harm’s way safely and efficiently.
The response was led by the steadfast leadership of General Manager Michael Bragg and Operations and Safety Manager Oren Grimm. Michael, a former Senior Patrol Officer, brought deep knowledge of public safety and calm leadership under pressure. Oren, a former firefighter, took the lead in external coordination, ensuring seamless collaboration with emergency responders and overseeing field logistics.
Their experience, teamwork, and leadership were backed by an incredible on-the-ground team who worked tirelessly to ensure a unified, effective response during a fast-moving crisis.
This moment was more than just an operational success—it was a demonstration of true public service, community partnership, and our unwavering commitment to safety.
