CERENE January Newsletter

Aloha and Happy New Year! As we greet 2025, we reflect on the cycles completed and look forward to new beginnings. This issue of the CERENE newsletter brings exciting updates from our resilience hub learning community (HLC), including the launch of the Koʻolau Regional Resilience Hub Network, our first publication coming out of the Action 15 project, the launch of the Sustainability Student Club at Kapiʻolani Community College, a wonderful New Year's Celebration at the JCCH Ohana gathering and new opportunities like the DOE Energy Innovator Fellowship and more. We also share resources and inspiration to help build resilience, from disaster mental health training (sharing again!), a poem for fire and rainwater capture ideas. As always scroll to the bottom for our community news bulletin to keep up with resilience happenings islandwide (and occasionally beyond).

Mahalo for being part of this journey as we continue to grow and strengthen our communities together unfolding into what is possible for the new year of the wood snake~! 🌑🐍🏮

Mahalo nui loa

Dr. Miku Lenentine, Chris Pascua and the CERENE Team

The Ko'olau Region is off and Running with its **NEW** Resilience Hub Network! We will share updates here periodically as well as spotlights and learning from them as they progress in our Hub Learning Community monthly zoom. For those who didn't have a chance to attend the symposium you can access the slides here: Access Presentation Slides

For all others who want to join the Ko'olau Resilience Hub Network (if you are in a Resilience Hub in the Ko'olau Region) you can sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/243206496153153

“Centering Indigenous Knowledge in Undergraduate Student Research: Strengthening Cultural Resilience in Resilience Hub Planning on O‘ahu” is a science education and policy article describing the community-based, culturally informed student led research component of the “Action 15 Resilience Hub Project,” launched in 2022 to establish a network of resilience hubs that include cultural resilience in disaster management. Published this past Fall 2024!

Suggested Citation:
Kalaiwa’a, K., Rova, L. H., Nichols, H. Ā., & Lenentine, M. M. (2024). Centering indigenous knowledge in undergraduate student research. Science Education and Civic Engagement, 106.

"Beyond the Hub: An Ecosystem of Community Resilience in Hawai‘i"

Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Concurrent Sessions

Community resilience in Hawai‘i and the Pacific extends far beyond the efforts of individual hubs—it is the collective work of a diverse and interconnected ecosystem. From government agencies and nonprofits to utilities and educational institutions, these "spokes" form the support network that sustains and strengthens the critical work of Individual Resilience Hubs serving their communities. Together, hubs and spokes address chronic stressors, such as housing crises and cultural preservation, prepare for acute challenges, like natural disasters and climate change impacts and provide year-round support for resilience.

This session explores definitions of resilience hubs and beyond, to examine how resilience hubs serve as localized anchors of preparedness and adaptation, while their supporting ecosystem enables broad, sustainable impact. Panelists will highlight evolving roles, and diverse configurations of hubs and related models —such as nodes, food hubs, and centers of resilience— and discuss how partnerships enhance their effectiveness. Drawing on culturally informed strategies and place-based planning, this conversation will demonstrate how collaboration ensures robust, adaptable, and community-driven solutions across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

Join us for a two-part "super-panel" with presenters from CCSR, DEM, HI-EMA, Food Bank, Red Cross, Vibrant Hawai'i, CERENE, the Hub Learning Community and others! This will be a great discussion and we hope to see it create greater clarity for better communication and coordination around hubs!

Join us for PRiMO Community Night on March 19 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center! This free-entry event is your chance to network, learn, and connect with resilience hub experts, practitioners, and community members. Explore exhibits, engage in discussions, and attend the Resilience Hub Networking Table hosted by Dr. Miku Lenentine.

📍 Location: Ballroom B/C, PRiMO Conference, Hawai‘i Convention Center
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Wednesday, March 19)

Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and involved in resilience efforts in Hawai'i and the Pacific!

Once again we had an awesome turnout for one of our largest events of the year as we celebrated resilience wishes and also a yummy tea and wellness for resileince moments with community members, keiki and student leaders from CERENE / TBSE at Kapi'olani Community College.

Our CERENE, KSSL and TBSE Fall Commencement & New Year’s Celebration was a huge success! 🎊✨ We had a wonderful time recognizing our exceptional Student Leaders, celebrating their achievements and ushering in the Lunar New Year with style! From an incredible sushi-rolling potluck 🍣 to an epic karaoke night 🎤, the evening was filled with laughter, great food, and unforgettable memories. A huge thank you to everyone who joined, contributed, and made the night special! 💛

Here’s to new beginnings, continued success, and more celebrations ahead! 🐉🥳

We are resharing this because it was just so good!

Replay the recording from our NEW! First-Year Pilot Training -- first-ever live session on:

Disaster Mental Health Introduction & Managing Holiday Stress with Amanda Hess.

This was a pilot training— that we shared on December 17th and introduced Peer-to-Peer Learning for Psychological First Aid Training. We will have a follow up debrief this Friday December 27th for those who complete the 5 Hour Self Study. You can find the recording from our wonderful session with Amanda here (forgive me because our own Zoom connection wasn't the best -- but Amanda was a total pro!).

We are excited to present the latest edition of HIEMA’s quarterly newsletter! This issue highlights some of the exciting projects happening within the HIEMA agency.

Inside, you’ll find updates on ongoing initiatives, success stories, and collaborative efforts that are making a positive impact across communities statewide. We invite you to take a moment to read through the newsletter and learn more about the important work being carried out by HIEMA’s dedicated team and their partners.

Thank you for your continued support.

The 2024 Hawai‘i Food System Summit brought together groups from across the islands to address the challenges facing Hawai‘i’s food systems and work on solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future. We wanted to share the resources from the 2024 Hawai‘i Food System Summit to support our resilience community:

📊 Presentation Slide Decks
Access the slide decks from the summit:

• Summit Day 1
• Summit Day 2

📰 Summit in the Media
Check out the Civil Beat article covering the summit and stay tuned for more media coverage.

Read the Article

📚 Notes and Summary
A post-summit resources webpage will be available on the THFST website in January 2025 with a full summit recap, including highlight videos, discussions, notes, and next steps.

The Department of Facility Maintenance and Mālama Maunalua have teamed up to launch a brand-new incentive program for Oʻahu residents! This initiative offers free rainwater capture solutions to help you make a positive impact on the environment.

What’s included?
✔️ Rain barrels
✔️ Rain gardens
✔️ Native trees

Why rainwater capture?
Rainwater capture projects are a cost-effective way to:

• Protect Oʻahu’s precious groundwater
• Reduce flooding in our communities
• Mitigate stormwater pollution in streams and the ocean
• Potentially soak up savings on your water bill!

Need assistance?
Partner organizations are offering FREE rainwater assessments (using the Follow the Drop App) for residents in the Windward and Ala Wai regions. If you live in these areas and would like help identifying and submitting projects, click the link below to schedule an appointment:

👉 Apply now and join the islandwide effort to conserve water and protect our natural resources! Funds are limited, and applications close on March 31!

Resources for Those Affected by the LA Fire

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by the recent LA fire. In this challenging time, we stand in solidarity with you and offer tools to help process trauma and begin the path to healing.

resources provided by the climate mental health network, are available in both English and Spanish, include:

• Climate Emotions Wheel
• Art Therapy Guide
• Meditations

We'd also like to show art created by Climate Mental Health Network CMHN student intern, Rachel Moszkowicz, who hails from Los Angeles, wrote a heartfelt poem in the aftermath of the fires.

🌿 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.

Climate Resilience for Healthcare (CR4HC) Toolkit

The Climate Resilience for Healthcare (CR4HC) toolkit is designed for healthcare emergency preparedness professionals and the multidisciplinary teams involved in healthcare organizations’ emergency preparedness and resilience planning. It’s intended for use after completing a hazard vulnerability assessment, such as the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Risk Identification and Site Criticality (RISC) Toolkit.

The toolkit provides valuable information on why climate resilience is crucial for healthcare organizations in mitigating risks of costly disruptions to care delivery. It offers evidence-based recommended actions to improve resilience and includes real-world case studies that highlight these concepts in action.

2014 Toolkit Resources:

• Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health Care Facilities Toolkit
• Primary Protection: Enhancing Health Care Resilience for a Changing Climate (PDF)
• Climate Resilience Checklists (PDF)

These resources aim to guide healthcare organizations in planning for and addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters and extreme weather events, ensuring the continuity of care during such disruptions.

Funding Opportunity: Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2) 🌞🦊🌱

Office: Solar Energy Technologies Office
NOFO Number: DE-FOA-0003492
Amount: Up to $11 million

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is offering funding through the Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2) initiative, aimed at improving the compatibility of large-scale solar facilities with wildlife and ecosystems. This opportunity encourages research, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement to develop strategies that support agrivoltaics (the dual use of land for both agriculture and solar energy production) and mitigate environmental impacts.

Topic Areas:

1. Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, Technical Assistance, and Stakeholder Engagement (2-5 projects, $1-3 million each)
   • Strategies to Mitigate Impacts on Wildlife
   • Wildlife-Solar Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement
2. Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement (1-3 projects, $1-3 million each)

Important Deadlines:

• Concept Paper Submission: February 14, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET
• Full Application Deadline: May 2, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET
• EERE Selection Notification: July 15, 2025

Webinar:
SETO hosted a webinar on January 10, 2025, to discuss the funding opportunity and focus areas.

For More Information:
Contact solarwildlife@ee.doe.gov

DOE Seeks Host Institutions for the Energy Innovator Fellowship

Apply to be a Host Institution for the Energy Innovator Fellowship by January 31!

The Energy Innovator Fellowship (EIF) is a workforce development program designed to connect recent graduates and energy professionals with organizations that are advancing solutions to modernize the U.S. power system. As a Host Institution, you will have the opportunity to mentor a fellow and collaborate on projects that improve energy infrastructure, enhance resilience, and contribute to a more affordable and reliable energy grid.

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
• Host Institution Webinar: January 8, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET
• Fellow Candidate Application Opens: March 31, 2025
• Fellow Appointment Start: Mid-July to August 2025

Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili Upcoming Community Workday(s)

Next Date: February 8 (Every second Saturday of the month)
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM (HST)
Location: Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili Accessible School & Community Garden, Honolulu

Theme for February: Huki Kalo (Harvest, Plant, and Take Home)

What to Expect:
Join us for hands-on activities, connect with nature, and explore the inclusive garden features. Keiki are welcome! Enjoy garden-made snacks and teas while helping to mālama māla (care for the garden).

For more information or to schedule a visit to this age-friendly garden, contact Melody at mhalzel@gmail.com. Stay tuned for exciting research on dementia-inclusive design and wellness initiatives at the garden!

🌱 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.

Please complete the survey by February 28th to be entered for a chance to win one of five $50 gift cards! 🎁

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

🌊 Water Testing Project Needs Volunteers! 🌊

A 2022 State Department of Health report named Hauʻula the 2nd most polluted community in the State! We need YOU to help collect water samples and support efforts to clean up our watershed and ocean.

The Hauʻula Community Association and Hui O Hauʻula are working with WAI, a nonprofit leading this project. We need volunteers to collect samples from January to June.

Thanks to WAI and the Harold KL Castle Foundation for their support!

CALL NOW 📞 at 808-293-5000 to sign up. Mahalo! 🙏

🌟 2025 Personal Trainer Certification 🌟
FREE 6-MONTH PROGRAM

🗓 Part 1: Feb 11 – Apr 5, 2025
🔹 Intro to ACE-Based Anatomy & Exercise Physiology
📍 Online: Tuesdays (5–7 PM) & Saturdays (8–10 AM)

🗓 Part 2: Apr 15 – Aug 16, 2025
🔹 Exercise Science for ACE-Certified Trainers
📍 Online: Tuesdays & Thursdays (5–7 PM)
📍 In-Person: Saturdays (8:30–11:30 AM) at UH Maui College

🎯 Eligibility:

• Ages 18+ | High School Diploma
• Maui, Molokai, Lanai residents

📅 Deadline: January 12, 2025
🔗 Apply Online: [Link in flyer]
📧 Contact: kealaho@hawaii.edu

Earn your ACE CPT Certification and jumpstart your fitness career! 💪

🌟 Kupuna Core Harmony 🌟

🗓 When: Tuesdays & Fridays
⏰ Time: 8:15 AM

💪 Join us for fun, fitness, and community connection!

📞 For More Info: Call 808-560-3653

Come move, strengthen, and thrive together! 💚

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