Public invited to Community Resilience Fair on June 26 in Waikōloa

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published with the wrong date. The correct date is June 26.

Story: Hawaiian Electric, in partnership with Hawai‘i County Council Member James Hustace, is holding a Community Resilience Fair on June 26 at the Waikōloa Elementary & Middle School cafeteria.

The free event, which runs from 4 to 7 p.m., will feature an open house and community meeting about wildfire safety and preparedness.

Representatives from county agencies, businesses and organizations will share information and resources to help residents prepare for emergencies and keep their homes and communities safe.

Participants include: Hawaiian Electric, Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, Hawai‘i Energy, Hawai‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i Water Service, Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Team Rubicon, Waikōloa Village Association, Wildfire Safety Advocates of Waikōloa and WVA Firewise.

The meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. and begin with a presentation about Hawaiian Electric’s Wildfire Safety Strategy to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities in high-risk areas.

Measures include enhanced safety procedures, video cameras, weather stations and a Public Safety Power Shutoff program. The presentation will be followed by a moderated panel discussion about wildfire safety, emergency preparedness and how communities can work together to support each other.

“Waikōloa is considered a high-risk wildfire area, and our residents are understandably concerned,” said Hustace, who represents District 9 in north and south Kohala. “The Community Resilience Fair brings everyone together to share information and resources and, more importantly, find ways to collaborate and support each other. We are stronger together.”

For more information about this event, contact Kendra.Bruno@hawaiicounty.gov or CommunityRelations.HawaiiIsland@hawaiianelectric.com.