Kaʻū News Briefs Oct. 5, 2024

Michah A. Kāne, President and CEO of Hawai'i Community Foundation, which has launched the Stronger Hawai'i Initiative
to respond to disasters. Photo from Hawai'i Community Foundation

THE STRONGER HAWAI'I INITIATIVE has been launched and Kaʻū residents are encouraged to explore its purpose, particularly in helping with disaster relief and mitigation. A project of the Hawai'i Community Foundation, it was born through helping victims of hurricanes, floods, lava and wildfires, as well as the pandemic. "As Hawai'i comes together to rebuild and heal, our commitment to long-term support and resilience remains steadfast," reports Hawai'i Community Foundation. "Stronger Hawaiʻi 

initiative is designed to provide vital information and resources to our communities in times of disaster. This initiative is a unique response to the specific needs of our islands."
    Hawai'i Community Foundation states that the Stronger Hawaiʻi initiative will serve as a central hub for resources from many community organizations, as well as provide critical information from County, State, and Federal agencies. The Stronger Hawaiʻi initiative is structured to respond to disasters that occur across the state.
    Stronger Hawaiʻi is designed to act as a bridge, linking resources and information for all disaster stakeholders.
    Hawai'i Community Foundation President and CEO Micah A. Kāne said, "Our commitment to a four-phase approach to disaster relief allows us to address both immediate needs and longer-term recovery strategies, ensuring we are as responsive as possible to evolving community needs. I encourage you to explore the resources available at the Stronger Hawaiʻi website: www.strongerhawaii.org. This site not only provides essential updates but also serves as a permanent tool for disaster preparedness and response." The site is growing from serving the Maui community after the wildfires to serving the entire state.

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A HAWAI'I INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS RESEARCH SPECIALIST is needed. The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems is accepting applications for the job that deals with the transition from the post-plantation agricultural landscape to food growing for local consumption. See https://globalfutures.asu.edu/food/swette-center-in-hawai%ca%bbi/.

     The position is designed to build and strengthen partnerships with Native Hawaiian food system organizations and stakeholders, conduct outreach to

Carly Wyman and Katie Crowe work on the transition from the post-plantation
 agricultural landscape of Hawai'i Island to food growing for local consumption.
Photo from Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

indigenous communities, and support food systems-related research priorities.
     Grounded in the belief that no future can be sustainable if it does not respect and draw from the culture and traditions of native peoples, the Swette Center’s work in Hawaiʻi is centered around meaningful engagement and development of strategic multi-sectoral partnerships with key stakeholders in the Hawaiian community, says a statement from Swette Center, "We view our efforts in Hawai‘i as a long-term process of relationship building and learning from Indigenous communities. All of this reflects the Swette Center’s commitment to creating a more economically robust, sustainable, equitable and resilient food system for Hawaiʻi and the

world." More information about the position can be found on their website, or by contacting Carly Wyman at carly.wyman@asu.edu.

     Swette Center is based at Arizona State University, which has a long history with the community of Miloli'i in conservation of marine food resources and protection of reefs.

    Swette Center lead researchers and community outreach representatives on this island are Carly Wyman and Katie Crowe.

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THE TROJANS HOSTED KOHALA on Saturday at Kaʻū High School's home field for the homecoming
game. Kohala took home the win with 42 points to Kaʻū's 29. See more on the game and homecoming in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

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