Vibrant Hawaiʻi to host Inaugural North Hawaiʻi Resilience Fair in Waimea

Emergencies happen. Are you ready?

In an effort to increase community awareness and access to resources that build preparedness and resilience to social vulnerabilities and natural disasters, Vibrant Hawaiʻi is hosting its inaugural North Hawaiʻi Resilience Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Waimea Community Center and adjoining Waimea Park.

The free event will feature:

• More than 20 booths with information about a variety of emergency resources and opportunities. While supplies last, those who visit at least 10 booths will receive a free 5-gallon bucket with emergency supplies.
• Free keiki activities such as roping, leather stamping, face-painting and games.
• Performances by Kanu o ka ‘Āina, Prince Dance Institute, Kū Maʻemaʻe and Mikiala Yardley.
• Storytelling about the history, legends and cultural practices of the region that reveal resilience and sense of place.
• Presentation of Community Resilience Awards to honor exemplary contributors.
• Flu shot clinic by the KTA pharmacy and free COVID-19 home test kits, while supplies last.
• Sugars Hawaiʻi BBQ and Desserts and the ʻOhana Food Trailer.

Six North Hawaiʻi resilience hubs are joining together to host the event including Hāmākua-Kohala Health Centers, Hāmākua Youth Center, Kailapa Community Association, Kohala Resilience Hub, Waikōloa Resilience Hub and Waimea Resilience Hub.

The fair is one of a series of community events planned by the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Resilience Hub network during Makahiki. Since 2020, North Hawaiʻi resilience hubs have collaborated to distribute surgical masks and COVID test kits; provide programming, hot meals and access to technology to support keiki during school closures; and invest in training and certification to build disaster response readiness.

Participating community organizations that will be sharing information and resources include Hawaiʻi First FCU Community Resource Center, Tūtū’s House, Hawaiʻi County Community Policing with Keiki ID, Kahua Paʻa Mua, Kumukahi Care Van, Hawaiian Electric, Firewise, Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development, Wai Wai Ola, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Rotary Club of North Hawaiʻi, Waimea Community Association, Waimea Trails and Greenways, Waimea’s ham radio hui and KTA pharmacy.

For more information about Vibrant Hawaiʻi and its network of more than 40 resilience hubs around the Big Island, click here.

To learn more about the Waimea Resilience Hub, click here.