WAIMEA PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE FAIR PUTS WILDFIRE CENTER STAGE
(WAIMEA, HAWAI’I ISLAND) - As many as 1,000 people were expected to attend a wildfire fair today, organized by the Waimea Resilience Hub, at the Mana Christian 'Ohana's Kahilu Town Hall.
Planning for the fair began last winter, well in advance of wildfires on Hawai’i Island and recent ones on Maui, including the blaze that leveled Lāhainā town and killed more than 100 people, with five dozen others still unaccounted for.
One of the organizers of the event, Tim Bostock, believes many Waimea area residents became more fire wise following the massive Mana Road fire four years ago.
“As recent fire disasters around the state have shown, preparation and resilience are critical to all communities for all kinds of natural and human-caused disasters,” Bostock said.
Participants were encouraged to place colored dots under disaster types they most worry about. Wildfire and tsunami were the top two.
Another theme of the fair was knowing your neighborhood and your neighbors. Organizer Diane Chadwick said, “When a disaster strikes it’s critical for your neighbors to know what you need, as well as letting them know how you might be able to help. For example, if you have an older or disabled neighbor you could potentially save a life by helping them evacuate.
Last month’s Maui wildfires fires in particular, created heightened awareness of the risks of wildfire to entire communities, neighborhoods, and individuals in Hawai’i where climate change has resulted in longer and more serious droughts leading to tinder dry fuels which can spread fires extremely fast.
Many of the tables spread across the floor were geared toward wildfire preparedness, prevention, and resilience. Outside several island fire departments had apparatus on display, always a big hit for keiki, as was Kaleo the Pueo, the mascot for the Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO).
The non-profit has long been a clearinghouse for drought and wildfire information, including introducing the annual Wildfire and Drought Lookout! campaign in partnership with DLNR and other fire agencies six years ago.
HWMO and the Firewise USA program, which it administers, literally had center stage at the fair. In the month since the Lāhainā fire, leaders of the organization have done dozens of media interviews and have seen a tremendous uptick in requests for the programming and resources it offers statewide.
One speaker compared being fire ready to the concept of “it takes a village to raise a child.”
“Recent fires have demonstrated, in the most graphic and tragic manner imaginable, why no community, no individual, no one anywhere in Hawai’i can afford to be complacent about wildfires. As the experts tell us, they can ignite just about anywhere or anytime of the year. The theme of connecting is very important. We all need to work toward making our homes, our properties, and our communities more resilient. The time is now,” Bostock added.
RESOURCES
(All images and video courtesy: DLNR)
HD video - Waimea Wildfire Prevention and Resilience Fair (Sept. 9, 2023):
Photographs – Waimea Wildfire Prevention and Resilience Fair (Sept. 9, 2023):
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/gwwixafdbfpc4kq4ibqlk/h?rlkey=enb2fw1ugrkpnvj445rbds0nd&dl=0
A warm thanks to all of these partners and friends who helped present the fair!
9Alpha Hawai’i Volunteer Fire Company
9Bravo Hawai’i Volunteer Fire Company
Air Med Care
Art Monastery
Daniel Sayre Memorial Foundation
Hamakua-Kohala Health
Hawai’i County Civil Defense
Hawai’i County Fire Department
Hawai’i County Planning Dept. – General Plan Update
Hawai’i County Police Department
Hawai’i County – R&D – Broadband Initiative
Hawai’i Island Fentanyl Task Force
Hawai’i Island Food Basket & Kokua Harvest
Hawai’i Preparatory Academy
Hawai’i Tracker
Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization & Firewise USA
HELCO
Kohala-Hamakua Radio Club
Kokua Christian Ministries
Mala’ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School
North Hawai’i Rotary Club
North Kohala Resilience Hub
Parker School – Helping Hands Club
Pohakuloa Training Area
Thelma Parker Memorial Library
Tutu’s House
UH-CTAHR
US Army Corps of Engineers – 3Rs UXO Safety
Vibrant Hawai’i
Waimea CERT
Waimea Community Association
Waimea Plant Based Hui
Waimea Preservation Association
To learn more about Waimea Resilience Hub, and see photos of our Fair, visit us on Facebook.
Launched in September 2019 by a core team of volunteers, the Waimea Hub exists as part of a growing network of Hubs across Hawaiʻi Island inspired and supported by Vibrant Hawaiʻi. The Hub aims to connect the residents of Waimea with resources needed to thrive in challenging times.
We will keep you updated on upcoming community events and more! Please 'Like' us: www.Facebook.com/WaimeaResilienceHub
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