Vibrant Hawaiʻi

As we reflect on last month’s Resilience Hub Summit, we are filled with gratitude, pride in our community, and renewed energy. During the summit, members of Resilience Hubs across Hawaiʻi Island came together to participate in trainings and peer-to peer-learning that demonstrates the growth of our collective resiliency. We heard from disaster management experts about best practice for protecting children during disasters, safeguarding our electrical grid during disasters, how to conduct a walkability study to inform emergency evacuation routes, and so much more. Mahalo nui loa to all who contributed to this gathering, with special shoutouts to: ✨ Kilauea Military Camp for hosting us ✨Hawaii Army National Guard for the MREs ✨Koʻolau Hubs and Harold K.L. Castle Foundation for their support We encourage everyone to sign up for County of Hawaiʻi alerts at bit.ly/coh-alerts and review the Hazard Map at bit.ly/coh-hazardmap #VibrantHawaii #Resilience #CommunityResilience #DisasterResilience #HawaiiIsland #WeVibeHI County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency Nanawale Community Association

A few weeks ago I was honored to be invited to attend and share on a panel at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable National Forum on Rural Development alongside Larry Seltzer of The Conservation Fund, Megan Lawson of Headwaters Economics, David Lipsetz of Housing Assistance Council, and Sara Moffat of Bureau of Land Management. Our panel focused on the tension between the outdoor economy as a promising practice and the unintended impacts on the local/host community. Mahalo nui to Chris Perkins and his team for bringing together 70 incredible leaders from across the nation to share and learn from one another.

ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi. All knowledge is not taught in the same school. ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #203 💡 We have much to learn from each other, and especially those who may have different ideas and opinions. This ʻōlelo noʻeau reminds us that those who come from different experiences, ways of learning, and perspectives may also hold ʻike, and that we should not assume that we and those who think like us know everything to the exclusion of others. #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #OleloNoeau #Reflection

🌺 We have 4 new members of our Social Service Navigator ʻOhana joining us this upcoming year! With 13 navigators all around Hawaiʻi Island, they are now prepared and ready to support and help connect our community with social services, personal documents, food and more. As a guide, Social Service Navigators are bridges to the resources available to you for the betterment of the community. This is a free service through a grant provided by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development. Social Service Navigators come to you and help you maneuver systems, walking right alongside you. We are excited to welcome these amazing navigators to continue the work of assisting the community! To connect with a Social Service Navigator, go to https://lnkd.in/gajDx9tZ #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #SocialServiceNavigator #SocialServices #SocialServiceNavigators

“The most rewarding part of supporting the Kaukau 4 Keiki program is knowing that aside from helping our local farmers and businesses, we are making an impact in the lives of our local families by providing these healthy and sustainable products free of charge,” says Brandon Bartolome, President of Hilo Products. 💚 Mahalo nui to HILO PRODUCTS COMPANY LIMITED for being a member of the Vibrant Hawaiʻi Resilience Alliance, and for their kōkua in connecting local farmers and food producers with food insecure families during Kaukau 4 Keiki this summer. To learn more about the Resilience Alliance or to join, visit https://lnkd.in/gNeRXEyX. #Kaukau4Keiki #NoKeikiHungry #VoicesofImpact #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #CommunitySupport #Hilo #Resilience #ResilienceAlliance

Jeramy's love for helping others stems from the support and connections that made a difference in his own life. 🌈 When you work with Jeramy, you can expect a compassionate, empathetic, and mindful approach. He helps his fellow community members navigate the system, connect with the right resources, and provides ongoing support to ensure their needs are met. Jeramy has learned Mālamalama: A Guide for Compassionate and Active Listening through Vibrant Hawaiʻi, allowing him to deeply understand and respond to each person's unique situation. 🎨 Jeramy was also a member of our 2023-2024 Vibrant Hawaiʻi Art Fellows cohort. His art, driven by community connections and healing through art, led him to start The Alcantara Brothers Foundation, helping children with disabilities heal through creative experiences. Reach out to Jeramy today: 📧 Jeramy@vibranthawaii.org 📞 (808) 657-7937 #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #SocialServiceNavigator #SouthKohala #SocialServices

E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao. He who takes his teachings and applies them increases his knowledge. ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #328 💡This ʻŌlelo Noʻeau reminds us that learning is reinforced by doing. Watching, listening, and learning is important, but there are some kinds of knowledge and wisdom that we can only gain by applying what we learn to our actions. By making our learning manifest in the world, we increase our knowledge, contribute to our community, and serve as an example and inspiration to others. #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #OleloNoeau #Reflection

We welcome Jay Bumanglag as our new Director of Youth Initiatives. In his role, he will lead our ʻOAKA program! 👏🏽 🌺 Jay was born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island in the resilient town of Pāhoa. He graduated from Pāhoa High School in 2009, then continued his education by earning a BA in Mathematics and an MA in teaching from UH Hilo. As the ʻŌpio Alliance for Kuleana Advancement (ʻOAKA) Director, Jay hopes to guide local youth and young adults through civic engagement and exploration. With a background in education, he aims to leverage his experience to create innovative programs that empower young people to develop critical thinking skills, foster a strong sense of community responsibility, and connect with meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. “My goal is to inspire and equip youth with the tools and confidence to become active, engaged citizens who make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.” Please help us welcome Jay! #AVibrantHawaii #Team #MeetTheTeam #VibeHI #Welcome

Mahalo to Kekoa Alip and W. M. Keck Observatory for participating in Kaukau 4 Keiki again this year! Kaukau 4 Keiki not only provides food for our keiki over summer break, but it also creates opportunities for community members to connect, work together, strengthen bonds, and to share shakas and smiles! #Kaukau4Keiki #NoKeikiHungry #VoicesofImpact #AVibrantHawaii #HawaiiIsland #CommunitySupport #SocialServices #SouthKohala #Waimea #EndHungerInHawaii #Food4Keiki #NourishHawaii

Mahalo Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for supporting, investing, and believing in Vibrant Hawaiʻi!✨ 💚