CERENE January Neighborhood News

As the year begins, and we bid farewell to the old, we welcome the dawn of a new year filled with possibilities, growth, and resilience!

Unlock the first gift of 2024 with the latest edition of CERENE neighborhood news. Start the new year with a burst of resilience! Our January newsletter brings you the latest resilience news from across the island. Including updates on the exciting initiatives happening within the O'ahu Resilience Hub project.

Join us in celebrating the collective resilience that binds us together. Here's to a year brimming with hope, progress, and a continued sense of unity.

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with joy, strength, and the promise of a vibrant future.

Mahalo nui loa, Chris Pascua, Dr. Miku, and the CERENE Team

Mōʻiliʻili Community and 'Āina Based Resilience Workshop Results

We were thrilled to showcase the outcomes of our Mōʻiliʻili Community and 'Āina Based Resilience Workshop at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii's New Year's event! Engaging with the community, we delved into discussions on personal wellness and cultivating calm amidst natural disasters. Our booth became a calm spot in the busy crowd for sharing resilience wishes for the new year, and fostered meaningful connections over cups of green tea. The event allowed us to not only present key takeaways from the workshop but also to exchange valuable insights, promoting a collective journey towards resilience and well-being. Here's to building stronger, more resilient communities in the year ahead!

• Exploration of on-site solar capacity needed.
• Diverse classes promote educational diversity.
• Emphasis on equitable access for inclusivity.
• Concerns addressed: wheelchair access, elevators, facility sales, structurally sound concrete building.

• Offers a wide variety of community programs.
• Visible and accessible space.
• Moderate sustainability rating (2.5).
• Not located in a flood zone.
• High rating (4.5) for hazard mitigation and emergency planning.
• Moderate communication rating (3).
• Moderate ratings for community garden (2) and charging stations (3).

• Ahupua'a system highlights interconnected land management.
• Collective contribution philosophy for community resilience.
• Strong leadership crucial for system integrity.
• Cultural centers foster trust and support, vital for resilience.
• Integrated approach to land and resource management.
• Culture impacts community responses to disasters.

• Understanding available resources and holistic impact.
• Community building through land care, fostering collaboration.
• Shared protection and collaboration among communities.

• Cultural values impact responses to disasters.
• Valuing people in society builds resilience.
• Reflection on cultural priorities for system maintenance.
• Cultural knowledge supports mental health.
• Building a caring culture that fosters community connections.

• Heritage sites serve as partnerships, gathering places, and learning spaces.
• Disasters can lead to the loss of history or culture, emphasizing heritage site importance.
  
• Heritage sites represent an investment in self and community for support and resilience.
  
• Cultural sites serve as resources for resilience, connecting people and inspiring mutual support.
  
• Heritage sites contain layers of history, including Hawaiian and immigrant history.
  

Keep an eye out for our workshop findings report and updates from Eric's PhD Research soon!

As the Fall semester came to a close, we gathered to commemorate the completion of another impactful semester at our Fall commencement ceremony. It was a beautiful occasion where our student leaders, the backbone of our resilient community, arrived to receive well-earned awards, acknowledging their dedication to resilience projects, resilience based research, and impactful community outreach. This celebration is a heartfelt recognition of their indispensable role – we couldn't accomplish what we do without their commitment to a resilient future. A sincere appreciation goes out to our professors and staff who have been instrumental in guiding our student leaders and peer mentors through the semester. As we express our gratitude and celebrate the achievements of the past, we look forward with anticipation to the new year, propelled by the enthusiasm of our seasoned resilience leaders who are eager to dive back into the community. Here's to our resilient leaders, mentors, and the journey that awaits us in the upcoming year!

Taking the spotlight this month is Waikeakua Forest, a testament to the resilience, commitment, and drive of community devotion to the restoration of the land and nurturing a vibrant native ecosystem while preserving traditional Native Hawaiian cultural practices. Initiated over a decade ago under the guidance of Uncle Bruce Keaulani and the Living Life Foundation, Waikeakua Forest has become a sanctuary for community members passionate about making a positive impact including our own CERENE Student Leaders! The restoration journey, initiated by Uncle Bruce and Aunty Kehau Lum, began with the love of 'Āina where Ulu (breadfruit) was first planted to provide sustenance for those in need. Despite facing challenges such as invasive species like Albizia, the collaborative efforts of community members, including Matthew Lynch from UH Mānoa Sustainability department, have led to transformative projects, such as removing invasive trees in 2021.

Waikeakua Forest goes beyond providing physical nourishment; it serves as a space for healing, community connection, and empowerment. The dedication to restoring resilient forests by combating invasive species is driven by the dream of seeing native stands of Koa flourish despite the impacts of climate change. The connection to 'Āina is powerful in Waikeakua, as expressed by Uncle Bruce, "A watershed for us is a gift from the gods. Kāne is still present in the forest." This sacred space is not just about planting; it's about understanding the rhythms of nature and engaging in a profound dialogue with the land.

Waikeakua Forest invites you to be an active part of their mission. Join their work days on the 2nd Sunday of every month, volunteer your time, and witness the positive change you can contribute to. Donations, no matter the size, play a crucial role in sustaining this invaluable initiative, allowing the purchase of plants, nourishment for volunteers, and necessary materials. As Uncle Bruce Keaulani aptly puts it, "E ola koa," inviting us to live long, like a koa tree in the forest. Waikeakua Forest stands as a beacon of community-driven resilience, sustainability, and the interconnectedness of people and ʻāina.

Get ready for an extraordinary opportunity as we welcome Pimpimon Kaewmanee, a distinguished lecturer and head of the economics department at Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to Kapiʻolani Community College during spring 2024!

🌿 About Pimpimon Kaewmanee: Is an environmental sustainability expert renowned for coordinating projects focusing on community development and agricultural reform. With a focus on sustainable agroforestry, Kaewmanee's work spans transforming Thailand’s agricultural system and contributing to sustainable agriculture in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand.

🌐 More Information:

• Kapiʻolani CC is among the first community colleges hosting the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Community College Residency Program..

🤝 Join the Exchange: Be part of the week-long exchange as Kaewmanee collaborates with Kapiʻolani CC students and employees, sharing expertise and insights in environmental sustainability.

🌟 Don't Miss This Chance to Collaborate and Learn! Be part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program that enhances leadership in addressing local and global challenges.

🔗 For More Information: Contact Brandon Marc Higa, Principal Investigator for CCRP and Director of Resource Development, at [Email: brandonh@kapiolani.hawaii.edu].

National Disaster Preparedness Training Center Third Thursday Virtual Event Topic:

Dependencies of Community Lifelines on Critical Energy Infrastructure

In October 2023, the Energy Office completed a groundbreaking assessment of Oahu's energy system and critical infrastructure vulnerability. This FEMA Advance Assistance funded effort delved into the primary energy supply, distribution, and demand networks, covering electricity, liquid, and gas infrastructure. The assessment also explored the dependencies of community lifelines, identifying key customers and potential risks.

✅Key Takeaways:

• Discover insights from the assessment of Oahu's critical energy infrastructure.
• Uncover 28 energy hazard mitigation measures.
• Dive into a five-year implementation plan to enhance infrastructure resilience.

📅 Save the Date:

• Date: Third Thursday of the Month
• Time: Jan 18, 2024 12:00 PM

🌐 For More Information:

• Contact: Cuong Tran
• Email: cuongt@hawaii.edu

🎤 Featured Presenter: Jon Chin

• Role: Manager Resilience Clean Transportation and Analytics

Let's come together to strengthen our community's lifelines and build a resilient future! 🌍💪

Invitation to Community Resilience Training (AWR-228)

Join us for an enriching experience in the Community Resilience (AWR-228) training course, FEMA certified and listed in the FEMA National Training and Education Division (NTED) Catalog. This one-day training, hosted by the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) at Kapiolani Community College, will equip you with essential knowledge and strategies to enhance community resilience to natural hazards.

Course Highlights:

• Date and Time: March 19 and 21, 2024, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm HST
• Location: Virtual delivery via Zoom
• Hosted by: Center for Resilient Neighborhoods, Kapiolani Community College
• Registration: NDPTC Registration Page
• Contact: ndptc-operations@lists.hawaii.edu

Course Overview: Resilient communities are better equipped to plan, mitigate risks, and adapt to changing environments. This course will guide you in integrating risk and community-based collaborative strategies into plans and programs. Learn how to assess community resilience, identify risks, and develop strategies for improved resilience. The training covers understanding natural hazards, resilience concepts, and building resilience, providing valuable insights for citizen/community volunteers, emergency management personnel, governmental administrators, and more.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Characterize natural hazards and their impacts on communities.
• Identify components of community resilience and the benefits of building resilience.
• Act on community resilience concepts and practices applicable to your community.

Costs: Free for readers of this newsletter as co-learners in our resilience hub learning community!

Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to community resilience. Register now and be part of a transformative learning experience. We look forward to your participation!

The 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi Food System Summit was held on December 14 and 15, 2023, at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oahu. Over 150 advocates convened to discuss vital issues!

Day 1 featured insights from state legislators and food systems experts like Paula Daniels, Celeste Connors, Dexter Kishida, and Wendy Gady. Participants collaboratively identified 30 policy areas, ranking them based on jointly determined criteria. Key 2024 policy issues emerged, focusing on Hawaiʻi’s Farm to School Programs, Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK), food system resilience, disaster preparedness, and securing permanent funding for DA BUX.

Deputy to the chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, Dexter Kishida, announced plans to reintroduce a state-level food system planning bill.

Day 2 included a workshop on building networks, resulting in commitments to form a statewide food policy network. This network aims to unite advocates and organizations for coordinated efforts in transforming Hawaiʻi's food system. It seeks to break down silos of information, fostering a collaborative environment guided by values of equity, reciprocity, transparency, and cultural relevance. The summit was aimed at being a platform for collective advocacy, to create pivotal movement in shaping the future of Hawaiʻi's food system.

Click below to watch the full recap.

🌿🌺 Aloha Makiki WAI Trail Crew! 🌺🌿

Mark your calendars for the upcoming volunteer workday!

🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, 01/27/24 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am | RSVP

📍 Location: 2135 Makiki, Kanealole Trail, Honolulu, HI 96822 Meet at the bathrooms, by the green bench.

We'll head up around 8:10 am to our site – a relaxed 5-10 minute walk on gravel.

Free parking available through the green gate; press the button and drive up behind the nature center, parking by the white wall.

🎒 What to Bring: Long shirt and pants, bug repellent, water, gloves (we have spares if needed), and sturdy outdoor shoes.

🌳 About Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative (WAI) Trail Crew: Join the mission to restore the Makiki sub-watershed to a "more" native Hawaiian forest! Embrace the spirit of community, protect the ecological and cultural significance of the area, and follow our journey on IG: @aina_malamers

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📧 Questions or Concerns? Feel free to email Jenny, Volunteer Coordinator, at jennyeb@hawaii.edu.

Let's Mālama 'Āina together! Jenny, Makiki WAI Volunteer Coordinator Mālama ‘Āina

🌺 Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative Mission: Restore and preserve the Makiki sub-watershed through restoration, community-based activities, and education.

🍃 Mālama: Diligently care for the Makiki Valley Loop trail, embracing the essence of mālama for its continuous enhancement.

🌱 ‘Āina: Our profound love for the 'āina (land) drives our commitment to its restoration

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🤝 Kuleana and Kiāulu: Embrace responsibility (kuleana) for a better future, achieved through collaborative efforts as a community (Kiāulu).

📜 Our History: Since 2022, we've worked to reverse the impact on the Makiki sub-watershed. Engage in tree planting, habitat restoration, and invasive species removal. Join us in raising awareness about the importance of native Hawaiian forests!

🌿 Contact Us: jennyeb@hawaii.edu

The Resilience Corps Leadership Award Program is made possible through funding from our generous donors Hawaiian Electric and State Farm.

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