The Hanapēpē-Eleele Hawai’i Hazards Awareness & Resilience Program (HHARP) will be honored as a disaster resilient community by local, state and federal officials during the Kaua’i Community Disaster Preparedness Fair being held this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Hanapēpē-Eleele HHARP is the first community group on a neighbor island to achieve this recognition.
HHARP is a statewide program designed to guide communities through a disaster preparedness process that will empower them before, during, and after natural disasters such as a hurricane, flash flood, or tsunami. Completion of HHARP includes presentations on local hazards and guidance in creating a community emergency plan.
The aim of the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) is to help communities prepare to be self-reliant during and after natural hazard events, improve their ability to take care of their own needs, and reduce the negative impacts of disasters.
HHARP can enhance community resilience through education and outreach sessions that build awareness and understanding of hazard mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. State and county emergency management agencies have partnered to administer HHARP in support of community leaders willing to implement the program.
The Hanapēpē/ʻEleʻele Community Association is made up of concerned citizens living in the Niumila, ʻEleʻele, Port Allen, Hanapēpē, and Kaumakani communities that want to improve communications with the County of Kauaʻi and within the community for the betterment of our area.
Previous communities honored included Waimānalo, Kailua, Joint Base Pearl Harbor, ‘Āina Haina, Mānoa, and Wai’anae.
WHAT: Recognizing The Hanapēpē-Eleele Hawai’i Hazards Awareness & Resilience Program (HHARP)
WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Hanapēpē National Guard Armory
WHO: Derek Kawakami, Mayor of Kaua’i
Elton Ushio, Administrator, Kaua’i County Emergency Management Agency
Luke Meyers, Executive Officer, Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency
Brigadier General Retired Bruce Oliveira, Department of Defense