Using items from his garage, Marty Plotnick can generate enough electricity to stay in contact with the outside world in the event of a disaster — manmade or natural — that affects his Niu Valley neighborhood.

In fact, he says his neighbors are welcome to tap into his connection.

Plotnick's vision is to create an online network using a 12-volt car battery connected by jumper cables to a power inverter, more cables plugged into a power strip, all going to a laptop computer and a wireless network.

His goal is to keep on top of the news and bulletins coming out of the state civil defense agency in case of an emergency. His plan is to then transmit that information to his neighbors.

Plotnick recently showed off his setup to lawmakers, visitor industry officials, neighbors and police officers. Niu is to become the test site for digital and electrical independence, Plotnick said.

"This is all you need," Plotnick said. "You're looking at a $150 investment. If we get an evacuation order, I just throw this all in the back of my Subaru, and I am still connected. You don't need to have formal training to do this.

"If it works here, then it will work in any community. I want to empower people to give them the communication channels they need to eliminate half their stress in an emergency. The real mission here is to save lives."

During the Big Island earthquake Oct. 15 that knocked out O'ahu's electricity, Plotnick was the only one on his Niu Valley street still connected to the Internet.

State Rep. Lyla Berg, D-18th (Kuli'ou'ou, Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina), said Plotnick's idea would save the state millions of dollars as it attempts to help communities stay in contact in case of an emergency. Other communities, like Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the Big Island, are also creating a communitywide networking plan because residents there are so isolated, Berg said.

"It's so important for sustainability if we can help the community become self-sufficient," Berg said. "This is a great concept. Residents want to be connected in an emergency."

Kuli'ou'ou resident Al Andrews was interested in Plotnick's setup and planned to propose it to his community association. "I want to get this for our Kuli'ou'ou Valley," Andrews said.

It's all a matter of being self-sufficient, Plotnick said. In an emergency, he can share news bulletins with his neighbors, who are mostly elderly, so they can take care of themselves. The goal, he said, is to get others in the community involved with establishing a network to other homes in the valley, which has an estimated 850 residents.

Plotnick would like to hear from others who may have an area of expertise in computers or networking so that when the next power failure comes, Niu Valley will be able to communicate.

Eventually, Plotnick said, he'd like to see the community invest in a portable satellite dish that would be more reliable.

"We want to spread the word to other communities," Plotnick said. "We presented an idea that can be adapted to other areas."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.