CERENE March Newsletter

As we move into April with Earth day, World Health Day, and Tsunami Awareness Month 🌊🌊🌊coming up fast, CERENE is excited to share our latest resilience events within our communities. This month, we hosted the Coastal Community Resilience Gathering, where community members and our students discussed the impacts of environmental hazards and brainstormed solutions for the future.

Our students led these conversations, presenting actionable research projects focused on enhancing coastal community resilience. We’re also proud of our CERENE team’s participation in the University of Hawai'i Sustainability Conference, where they connected with experts and peers to develop climate-focused strategies for the future. A special thank you to the hosts at UH Manoa for creating such valuable learning opportunities for our future leaders.

Looking ahead, we’re eager to connect again at our Resilience Hub Learning Community meeting on April 24th. This will be a chance to share updates, discuss strategies, and collaborate with others committed to strengthening community resilience. As always, stay tuned for upcoming events and training opportunities to continue growing your skills and support your community’s resilience efforts.

Mahalo for being part of this journey as we work together to build a more resilient future.

Dr. Miku Lenentine, Chris Pascua, and the CERENE Team

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🌱 Resilience Hub Learning Community & Vibrant Hub Network Updates 🌱

Join us for our upcoming April Meeting! Let's connect, learn, and build resilience together. This is an exciting opportunity to hear updates, share insights, and collaborate with like-minded individuals in your community on resilience efforts.

🗓 Date: Thursday, April 24th
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom (Email us at cerene15@hawaii.edu if you would like to join and it is your first time)

Whether you're a member or new to the community, your voice and perspective is valuable and you're welcome to attend.

Agenda Includes:

• Emerging Hubs & Hub Curious Group Updates
• Community Collaboration Opportunities
• Strategies for Building Resilience in Hub Community and Vibrant Network

First time joining? Email us at cerene15@hawaii.edu.

Attended before? Email invite and save the date will come out soon!

The Ko'olau Regional Network continues to meet and grow! CERENE participated in the GIS Working Group and also the Youth Academy Working group this past month. For more info on how to join the Ko'olau Regional Hub Action Network please email cerene15@hawaii.edu.

Email us at cerene15@hawaii.edu so we can share with our learning community!

"Where one goes, we all go." Let's strengthen our resilience together!

We’re excited to share that our CERENE Team resilience leaders recently attended the Be Ready Manoa Round Robin CERT this month. This event was an opportunity for our young leaders to engage with experts, discuss and develop strategies for integrating sustainability, and for collaborating with peers on creating climate-focused curricula. The workshop was a valuable opportunity for our students to grow as resilient leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to tackle future environmental challenges and to continue to inspire positive change in their communities. A special thank you to BE Ready Manoa for providing the opportunity! We’re proud of our future community resilience leaders and their commitment to building a sustainable future.

At our recent Coastal Community Resilience Gathering members from our coastal communities came together to discuss the escalating impacts of environmental hazards on their communities. A brain both short-term projects and long-term plans to enhance resilience in the face of growing environmental threats. Our CERENE Team students were at the forefront of these important conversations, presenting their research projects focused on strengthening coastal community disaster resilience.

These student researchers showcased practical, actionable plans that they will soon be implementing to support coastal communities in preparing for and responding to environmental hazards. Their efforts are centered on creating sustainable solutions that can adapt to the challenges communities will face in the years ahead. As these projects move forward, the work of our students will play a crucial role in helping coastal communities build resilience and secure a safer future.

Mahalo to everybody who attended and contributed.

CERENE participated in the 2025 Sustainability Conference hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa earlier this month. The gathering brought together scholars, practitioners, students, and community leaders committed to advancing sustainability, resilience, and place-based learning across Hawaiʻi and beyond. We extend our sincere gratitude to the event organizers—Dr. Ulla Hasager, Dr. Aya Kimura, Dr. Krista Hiser, and graduate student, Madison Owens—for curating such a thoughtful and inspiring convening. The conference offered a rich space for cross-sector dialogue, knowledge sharing, and deep reflection on the challenges and opportunities ahead. We look forward to continuing these conversations and partnerships in the months to come. Special thank you also to Dr. Kamakanaokealoha Aquino for sharing his insights on Indigenizing Sustainability and his important leadership and work in this field. We are taking notes! :)

Mahalo to everyone who contributed to making this conference such a meaningful and memorable experience.

This month honors the lives lost in the 1946 tsunami and focuses on preparing our island communities for future events. Know your evacuation zone, learn the warning signs, and be ready to #Get2HIGround if needed.

🔗 Learn more:

• HI-EMA Tsunami Preparedness

• TsunamiZone.org – Hawaiʻi

• NOAA Tsunami Education

Stay safe, stay informed, and spread the word! 🌺

(Note - the course is already ongoing so you may not qualify for the certificate -- but you can still join in to learn at the session and the modules look excellent!)

📅 March 11 - April 15, 2025 | Tuesdays & Thursdays | ⏰ 12:00-1:30 PM AEST
💻 Free, Certificate-Based Online Course

Climate change is a pressing health issue, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where extreme weather, air pollution, and environmental challenges impact public health. This 10-week course is designed to equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify, communicate, and respond to climate-related health risks. Through expert-led lectures and case studies, participants will explore climate science, health system resilience, adaptation, advocacy, and more.

📌 Register here: bit.ly/WesternPacific25

Maunalua Talk Story with Mahi La Pierre – 3/22 ✨

🌴 Location: Maunalua
🗓 Date: March 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 9AM-11AM

Don't miss out on this fun and educational workshop with Hui Cultural Advisor and Maunalua artisan Mahi La Pierre! 🌺 Join us for a special Maunalua Talk Story where you’ll craft your own ʻapu niu (traditional coconut cup) 🥥. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Maunalua's cultural heritage while creating something meaningful to take home!

🌟 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training 🌟

🗓 Dates:
• Day 1: April 5, 2025, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Department of Emergency Management EOC
• Day 2: April 12, 2025, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Department of Emergency Management EOC
• Day 3: April 19, 2025, 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM @ Diamond Head

📚 What You’ll Learn:
• Disaster Preparedness & Fire Safety
• Search & Rescue
• Emergency Triage & First Aid
• Suppress Small Fires
• And more!

🔹 Course: Leveraging Tools for Conducting Damage Assessments
✅ Status: FEMA Certified & Listed in NTED Catalog
📆 Duration: 8 Hours | 🎓 Credits: ASFPM (6.5), IACET (0.6), IAEM (5.5)
📍 Delivery: Instructor-Led | 💰 Cost: FREE (Travel/Lodging Not Covered)

🔥 What You’ll Learn

✔️ Damage assessment processes & tools
✔️ Develop & apply assessment action plans
✔️ Hands-on practice with real-world tools

🎯 Who Should Attend?

🏛️ Government Officials | 🚑 EMS | 🔥 Fire Services | 👮 Law Enforcement | 🤝 NGOs | 🏢 Private Sector | 🚨 Emergency Management & More

📍 RSVP Here: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/3883/

🌿 Join the ISR Spring Seminar Series on Resilient Landscapes and Fire Risk Reduction! 🌿

Save the dates for an exciting lineup of experts who will share insights on how Hawai‘i can support more resilient landscapes and reduce fire risk. These seminars will take place Wednesdays from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM in Kuykendall Hall 201, starting February 12th.

Lunch will be provided 🍽️, and while a remote option will be available, we encourage in-person attendance to foster connection and dialogue.

Clean Energy Group's Technical Assistance Fund (TAF) is accepting applications for grants of approximately $8,500 to support resilience hub projects serving low-income and BIPOC communities. The TAF provides one-on-one guidance, technical expertise, and funding for solar+storage feasibility assessments, which can support the resilient power element of your Resilience Hub. The TAF offers critical support for community-serving organizations pursuing resilient solar and battery storage projects. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your community's Resilience Hub work. Click here to apply for support.

🗻🍃Adopt a Park: Diamond Head State Monument Workday!

Join us for an exciting day of biocultural forest restoration at Muriel Flanders Park, located in the beautiful Diamond Head State Monument!

Upcoming Workday: March 22nd 📅
Time: 9 AM - 1 PM 🕘
Location: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816 📍

What to Expect:
Explore the semi-wild park area
Engage in Mālama ‘āina (caring for the land)
Build connections (Pilina Building)
Enjoy food & fun!

Lunch provided by Diamond Head Grill! 🍴

Carpool Available! Meet on campus for a ride

Location: Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili, Accessible School & Community Garden
Address: College of Education, 1776 University Ave, Honolulu, HI, 96822 (A map will be sent upon registration)

The ‘Dementia-Friendly’ Garden Checklist is an evidence-based tool designed to create safe, engaging, and supportive gardens for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Developed in alignment with the Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili, Accessible School and Community Garden, it helps identify and remove barriers through inclusive design strategies.

☕ Registration & Welcome – Sign in with coffee, and light refreshments. (Check-in starts 30 minutes before the session.)

📋 Checklist Activity – Use the 'Dementia-Friendly' Garden Checklist as an on-site observation tool to identify and remove barriers.

✏️ Feedback Questionnaire – Provide input on the checklist’s usability, appropriateness, and inclusivity.

💬 Talk Story & Connect – Share experiences and reflections with others.

🥗 Enjoy Food & Teas – Locally catered refreshments and teas from the garden will be provided.

🌱 Take-Home Resources & Plants – Receive a printed checklist, the Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili Supply & Resource Guide, and a potted plant or seedling as a thank-you for participating.

Your feedback will help improve the checklist, and the final version will be shared with participants. All responses will remain confidential and anonymous.

🌱 Mālama Māunuunu Workdays

Join us for hands-on restoration and cultivation of bio-cultural resources at Kapiʻolani CC. It’s a chance to support the health of this special ʻāina and give back to your home campus.

Waiwai ka ʻĀina no ke Kanaka – The wealth of the land is determined by its people, and healthy people are found where the land is thriving. 🌍

📅 Workdays:

• March 14 ⏰ 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• April 11 ⏰ 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• April 25 ⏰ 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

⚡ The Energy Equity Hui’s Community Empowerment Working Group ⚡

The Energy Equity Hui’s Community Empowerment Working Group is a statewide public-private collaborative network focused on ways to help you and your community participate in an equitable energy future for Hawai‘i.

This survey is aimed at community organizations to suggest educational materials and events that would support your needs. It can also be the starting point for collaboration between your community and energy industry professionals to access free targeted resources and educational opportunities.

If you have any questions, please contact the working group at energyhui.cewg@gmail.com

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