Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense brings preparedness outreach to Ocean View

The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency will host a “Disaster Preparedness Fair” in Ocean View on Saturday as part of an ongoing effort to expand emergency readiness outreach in rural communities across Hawaiʻi Island.

The fair is in partnership with the Ocean View Resilience Hub and the Hawaiian Volcanoes Education and Resilience Institute. It is scheduled for Jan. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ocean View Community Center.

“This effort is part of our mission to deliver public safety information to the last person, in the last house, on the last block of every community of Hawai‘i Island,” said Talmadge Magno, administrator of the Civil Defense Agency.

The event will feature presentations by civil defense specialists and scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, focusing on hazards associated with Mauna Loa eruptions and steps residents can take to prepare.

The Hawaiian Volcano Education and Resilience Institute will webcast the presentation to allow for broader community access.

“We are only resilient to natural disasters if our whole island is prepared,” Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda said. “That is why it is important for us to bring information and resources to every corner of our island, and we encourage everyone to take part.”

The event also will include prize giveaways and informal discussions aimed at helping residents better understand emergency preparedness, response planning and available resources.

Recent improvements to KWXX-FM radio coverage in Kaʻū and South Kona will be highlighted. The station now provides a stronger signal for broadcasting emergency alerts.

Additional agencies scheduled to participate include Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the American Red Cross, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Community Emergency Response Teams and Vibrant Hawaiʻi, each offering information on preparedness programs and community support services.

Civil Defense officials said similar outreach efforts are planned throughout the year.

Following the Ocean View event, the agency will partner with the Kōhala Resilience Hub to share disaster preparedness information during an ʻOhana Fun Day event in North Kōhala on March 14.

Individuals who are unable to attend can click here to watch online.