Resilience Summer Round up

As spring transitioned into kauwela (summer), our communities were once again reminded of both the strength of our connections and the importance of caring for one another during difficult times. In the wake of the recent hurricane, our thoughts are with everyone who was affected—especially those who experienced damage, disruption, power outages, uncertainty, or concern for family and neighbors. We extend our aloha and support to communities as recovery continues, and we are deeply grateful to the neighbors, volunteers, first responders, community organizations, and resilience leaders who stepped forward to help one another.

The beginning of summer also marked the start of the Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. This season has underscored something at the heart of the Hub Learning Community: preparedness is not only about supplies and plans—it is an act of community care. The relationships we build before an emergency can make an enormous difference when our communities are called upon to respond.

As we look back on a busy summer, we do so with gratitude for the people who continue to make this network possible—and with renewed recognition of why this work matters. In this Summer Round-Up edition, we are sharing highlights from the past several months along with resources, opportunities, and upcoming activities to help households and communities stay connected and prepared through the remainder of hurricane season.

Interested in helping support your community during disasters?
Learn more about becoming a Hawaiʻi Red Cross volunteer and opportunities to support emergency shelters.

Mahalo nui loa,

Zachary Gibson, Dr. Miku Lenentine, and the CERENE Team

Note: You are receiving this email because you signed up for our CERENE Neighborhood News or Listserv, or you may have attended one of our community events or neighborhood board presentations. To unsubscribe from our Resilience Hub Community Updates & CERENE News, simply click here.

The O'ahu Resilience Hub Learning Community is a community of practice dedicated to supporting the development of resilience hubs on O‘ahu and connecting the ecosystem of resilience surrounding them! Welcome to our community. Mahalo for supporting Resilience Hubs!

This June, more than 50 community members representing 14 Resilience Hubs came together at Camp Palehua for the first-ever Oʻahu Resilience Hub Summit. Through workshops, preparedness activities, relationship-building, and shared learning, participants strengthened the skills and connections that help our communities prepare for hurricane season and respond together when challenges arise.

• • Community Updates

  • Fishing Event
    During the month of July, Hui Holoholo hosted our monthly Community Fishing Workshop, bringing community members together for an afternoon of hands-on learning and connection. Participants learned proper and sustainable fishing techniques while engaging in discussions about community resilience, local food security, and strengthening our island's capacity to care for one another before, during, and after emergencies.

  • Hui Membership Open
    Our community continues to grow and is open to new members. If you know someone who would align, feel free to share and invite them in.

  → Share sign-up form: Sign-Up Sheet

  • Explore the Website
    We officially launched our website!! Learn more about Hui Holoholo, our values, and what we’re building together.
    → Visit the site: https://sites.google.com/view/huiholoholo

  • Join the WhatsApp Community
    Stay connected, share ʻike, and keep up with what’s happening across the Hui.
    → Join the group contact: huiholoholohawaii@gmail.com
    
    

    As we move through August, mahalo to everyone who continues to support Hui Holoholo through your time, knowledge, and aloha. Whether you've joined us at an event, shared your manaʻo, or simply followed along, your support helps strengthen our growing community.

    We look forward to another month of learning, stewardship, and connecting with one another as we continue to care for our coastal resources and celebrate Hawaiʻi's fishing traditions together.

    
    

    A Hui Hou,
    Hui Holoholo
    
    Click here to view July Newsletter
    Click here to view August Newsletter

Regulars and members will receive a monthly calendar invite and zoom link automatically -- no need to RSVP if you are already a member. See you there!

Hurricane Lala became one of Hawaiʻi’s most significant tropical cyclone impacts in decades. At least 100 homes on Hawaiʻi Island were reported damaged, and nearly 300,000 households statewide lost power during the storm. Two storm-related deaths have been reported (as of time of writing this). AccuWeather preliminarily estimated Lala’s total damage and economic losses at $3–5 billion.

For comparison, Hawaiʻi’s back-to-back Kona Low storms in March produced the state’s worst flooding in more than 20 years. AccuWeather estimated those storms caused approximately $2 billion in total damage and economic loss, while state officials separately estimated more than $1 billion in direct public and private property damage.

sources: https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/08/6-in-10-lost-power-during-lala-it-may-take-a-state-inquiry-to-learn-why/

https://www.accuweather.com/en/press/back-to-back-kona-storms-and-destructive-flooding-result-in-around-2-billion-in-total-damage-and-economic-loss-in-hawaii/187684

https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/

In the wake of Tropical Storm Lala, Vibrant Hawaiʻi and its network of community hubs mobilized to support impacted communities with emergency supplies, including food, water, tarps, and cleanup assistance. Trained chainsaw teams were also deployed to help residents affected by fallen trees and blocked access.

Learn more or support the response at vibranthawaii.org/lala.

The Koʻolau Resilience Hub Network is calling on our community to support families and individuals impacted by Tropical Storm Lala. Donations and assistance will help meet immediate needs and strengthen recovery efforts across Koʻolau.

Learn more and offer kōkua at rebrand.ly/LalaKoolau.

Mahalo Nui Hedsey and Zachary, students of the CERENE Lab at Kapi'olani Community College, and staff of Next Generation Youth Leaders with the Hub Learning Community. While there they assisted with Spartan Camp; teaching students from the public school system technical skills and technological skills.

Throughout the two weeks students engage in workshops learning skills such as traditional weaving, fishing, canoe voyaging, sewing and jewelry making as well as technical skills for drone flight, Google-Maps/Earth and use of AI with courses covering Environmental Sciences, Geography and Marine Science and GoPro 360 to create localized maps to be uploaded to google street view and used by the local Emergency Operation Center to mitigate disaster and broaden preparedness.

left to right; Bryson (Student from Tufts University | Pacific Allies), Zachary (Student from Kapi'olani Community College | CERENE | TBSE | HLC)

Spartan Camp, an annual summer camp for local high schoolers. The first Spartan Camp took place in 2016, focusing on place-based learning alongside the cultural traditions of the atoll and core STEM concepts.

To learn more about Spartan Camp view the Story Map created by Zachary Gibson and Hedsey Rowa below.

https://arcg.is/1Xba5y2

Hedsey (Student from Kapi'olani Community College | CERENE)

Our study abroad program lasted for one week and included students from Kapi'olani Community College and University of Hawaii - Manoa. The students have been trained through the CERENE Lab and the TBSE program.

Although our time was brief, our schedule was compact and incorporated a healthy mix of professional cocreation and community relations.

Below is a brief recap of some of the work that the CERENE team from Kapiʻolani Community College participated in this summer, including the areas where our students were able to support and learn alongside Pacific Allies, KALGOV, the EOC, local schools, CMI, Queen of Peace, and other community partners.

Our major areas of work for summer 2026 were:

• CERENE Team Students Supporting at Spartan Summer Camp (Hedsey and Zach)
• Supporting CPR, First Aid & Emergency Preparedness
• Expanding Drone Training for the EOC and KALGOV
• Supported Documentation During Amphibious Telehealth Rescue Demonstration
• Supported Community Mapping Efforts for Ebeye
• Developed TI-PAR Student-Centered Frameworks for Biocultural Research / Restoration
• Advanced Digital Mustard Seed Resilience Hubs Network / Starter Kits
• Qualitative Interviews and Q Study Field Methods Pilot
• Expanding Education, Partnerships & Community Engagement

View our story map of the experience below! This will give you a day-by-day adventure you can follow along with. https://arcg.is/1KTrG11

If you cast your gaze to the skies on a clear night in the month of July, you may notice that two of the brightest stars – namely Vega and Altair – radiate with an intensity that causes them to stand out from all the other stars in the visible constellations...

....In Hawaiʻi, the summer months are a time largely focused on o-bon festivals throughout the state, a long-held tradition brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrant laborers during the Islands’ plantation days history and which has become a multi-ethnic celebration of sorts. Tanabata, however, is less well-known in Hawaiʻi, although still widely celebrated in Japan.....

...Activities included a Tanabata wish tree for hanging tanzaku; ikebana/herbal bundle making; lucky star origami folding; teru-teru bōzu making (traditional charm to bring clear skies); and the highlight of the evening: nagashi somen... Read More..

https://san-times.com/stories/the-story-of-tanabata-july-7-is-written-in-the-skies/

Upcoming Fall Community Workdays:

Saturday, September 12 from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM Ka Hana o Kēia Mahina: Welcome Back Celebration of Wellness

Saturday, October 10 from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Saturday, November 14 from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Saturday, December 12 from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Attendees can expect a family-friendly experience filled with hands-on gardening activities, nature connection, and garden teas, featuring inclusive amenities like shade, seating, and restrooms, alongside an encouraging invitation to bring a dish for a community potluck.

Register Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeKKA-RkingUnqcb7z7GSoBKI2WA9j4uzpPdf5oeMW1CrExg/viewform

Thursday, July 16 | 4:30-6:00 PM

The Cultivating Care: Memory Café is a free, monthly, nature-based gathering held in an outdoor māla (garden) space, designed to provide a safe, welcoming environment where people living with memory loss and their caregivers can foster social connections and enjoy relaxing activities together.

Register Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDhqmlpDDH218H43Zu4OBf0P6254RzpAv5xJWopfA2394PwQ/viewform

The Koʻolau Resilience Hub Network and Vibrant Hawaiʻi are offering a Psychological First Aid (PFA) training to help community members build practical skills for supporting children, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of disasters and other crises.

Saturday, August 29, 2026
8:30 AM–1:00 PM
Kinai Eha, Kailua, Oʻahu

Participants can receive a PFA certification and strengthen their ability to serve as a community resource during times of crisis.

Registration is required. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register. For more information, contact deborah.b.barbour@gmail.com.

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/261528872169165

Two upcoming workshops at The Dole Cannery in Honolulu will offer practical training for condominium and community leaders. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Unified for Safety: Hawaiʻi’s Emergency Response Network will bring together emergency management and first responders to discuss disaster preparedness, severe weather, medical emergencies, and lessons learned from the recent Kona Low storms.

A two-part Board of Director Training will follow on October 17 and 24, 2026, covering governance, legal responsibilities, compliance, financial oversight, and risk management.

Registration is online only. The August 29 workshop is $199 per person, with registrations after August 22 subject to a $75 late fee. The October training registration deadline is October 10, after which a $75 late fee applies. See the flyer for registration details.

Earth Nullschool is a free, interactive global weather map that lets you visualize wind direction and speed, air pressure, precipitation, ocean waves and currents, sea-surface temperatures, air quality, and other environmental conditions. The weather visualization is updated regularly using data from sources including NOAA, NASA, and Copernicus.

For Resilience Hub leaders, students, and community members, it can be especially useful during hurricane season for seeing the larger weather patterns around Hawaiʻi and understanding how storms, winds, and ocean conditions are developing. It is a great tool for weather awareness and education, but should be used alongside official National Weather Service and emergency management alerts when making preparedness or safety decisions.

Explore the interactive map: earth.nullschool.net

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6748462114?pt=127760932&ct=n.n-app_page

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.nullschool.app&referrer=utm_source%3Dn.n%26utm_campaign%3Dapp_page

Hawaii Green Growth will conduct a FREE rainwater assessment of your property to determine where/how you can implement solutions that will reduce the amount of water runoff. Minimizing rainwater runoff is one way to mitigate flooding and reduce brown water runoff that will eventually make its way into nearshore marine habitats.

Here is a link to the Hawaii Green Growth website where you can sign up for a rainwater assessment: https://www.hawaiigreengrowth.org/ftd

If you decide on a rain barrel option, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply - through its Water Sensible program - is offering a $40 rebate. Click on the following link for more information: Water Sensible Program.

This project is made possible through funding from Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Fresh Water Initiative, and in partnership with 3Rwater, Roth Ecological Design International LLC, and the Honolulu City & County Department of Facility Maintenance.

By entering an address or selecting a location on the map, users can quickly determine whether a property is located within a tsunami evacuation zone, flood zone, wildfire risk area, or dam and levee evacuation area. The tool also allows users to view hazard maps, access additional information, and generate a printable report for emergency planning purposes.

We encourage you to incorporate the Oʻahu Hazard Explorer into community education and outreach efforts to help residents better understand the hazards that may affect their homes, workplaces, schools, and other important locations.

The tool can also support continuity planning and preparedness efforts for organizations and agencies by helping identify potential hazard risks at facilities, critical sites, and service locations. Understanding these risks can inform emergency planning, continuity of operations, and resilience-building activities.

We invite you to share the Oʻahu Hazard Explorer with your staff, clients, members, and community. Promotional materials, including graphics and a short demo video, are available on the website to support your communication and education efforts at Honolulu.gov/dem/how-to-OHE.

The Oʻahu Hazard Explorer is available at: honolulu.gov/myhazards

The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), in alignment with the cooperative vision of the Pili Nā Moku project, invites proposals to support ʻāina-based conservation and restoration, network building, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and community-centered governance.

This opportunity is focused on five moku or hui moku in 1) West Kauaʻi; 2) Waiʻanae, Oʻahu; 3) Molokaʻi 4) Central Maui; and 5) Kohala, Hawaiʻi.

Two funding pathways are available to applicants:

Collaborative Project Pathway: $1,200,000 in funding available per moku (seeking to fund 1 award per moku) for a funding term of two years.

Individual Project Pathway: $200,000 in funding available per moku (seeking to fund 1-2 awards per moku) for a funding term of two years.

Statements of Interest are due Friday, August 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM HST via this Google Form and Full Proposals are due via eSeaGrant Friday, November 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm HST. Please view the attached RFP or visit PiliNaMoku.org for complete details.

Please help us distribute this opportunity widely. If you have any questions, please email pnmoku@hawaii.edu.

‘Ili’ili Community “mini-grants” are available year-round for small community-led projects that strengthen connection, preparedness, and resilience across Oʻahu. These funds are especially meant for resilience hubs and groups supporting increased resilience efforts for their neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

In response to increasing climate-driven emergencies across our islands, Funder Hui is coordinating a network of funders committed to a more aligned, community-centered approach to disaster philanthropy. Together, we are working to reduce the administrative burden placed on nonprofit organizations during times of crisis, while ensuring that resources are distributed more equitably, efficiently, and in alignment with community-identified needs.

• Streamlining funding processes to minimize duplicative applications and reporting

• Supporting rapid deployment of resources for immediate and emerging needs

• Advancing equitable distribution of funds across organizations, including those historically underfunded

• Centering local knowledge, cultural competency, and place-based leadership in funding decisions

Eligibility

This fund supports nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored projects, and community-based groups responding to the impacts of the Kona storm and flooding across Hawaiʻi. Applicants should be engaged in direct response, recovery, or resilience efforts and demonstrate a clear connection to the communities they serve.

Grant Award Range

Grant amounts will vary based on need, scope of work, and available funding. Both small rapid-response grants and larger recovery grants will be considered. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Copyright (C) 2026 Community Engagement for Resilient Neighborhoods. All rights reserved.