Disaster Preparedness Workshops and Resources

UH CTAHR News Release

In response to recent challenges posed by COVID-19 and wildfires, Maui County residents are invited to participate in a series of comprehensive workshops aimed at enhancing community resilience and preparedness. Organized by UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Maui County Cooperative Extension Services on Maui and Molokai, these workshops will equip attendees with essential skills such as CPR, first aid, and fire suppression techniques. Participants will also learn how to assemble emergency kits and adopt firewise landscaping practices to mitigate the risk of fires.

Registration is now open to adults, families up to four members, and youth who are year-round residents of Maui County. The Molokai workshop is scheduled for July 27 on Molokai at the UH CTAHR Molokai Extension Office from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14 is the registration deadline. Given the limited space available, interested individuals are encouraged to register online promptly at go.hawaii.edu/ngo. For more details, contact drving@hawaii.edu or call 808-244-3242 ext. 225.

Nancy Ooki, a CTAHR Maui extension agent, emphasized the workshops’ importance in light of recent disruptions.

“The combination has placed the Maui community in a position of feeling a sense of loss of control, decision-making ability, and uncertainty about the future,” said Ooki.

Ooki believes that through education and training in disaster preparedness, community members can play an active role in the recovery process and contribute to the island’s resilience.

These workshops are tailored for a diverse audience including farmers, ranchers, home gardeners, landscape professionals, teachers, parents, and youth above 13 years old. The program aims to impart specific knowledge while fostering community cohesion and collaboration

By enhancing the community’s capacity for emergency response and promoting a culture of preparedness, CTAHR Maui hopes to strengthen resilience and facilitate collective action in times of crisis. These workshops represent a proactive step towards empowering Maui County residents with the skills and resources needed to navigate and recover from future disasters