REVITALIZE PUNA ACTIVATION TO HIGHLIGHT PLACEMAKING INITIATIVES
REVITALIZE PUNA ACTIVATION TO HIGHLIGHT PLACEMAKING INITIATIVES
The County of Hawai‘i’s Disaster Recovery Division and Council District 4 will host its sixth quarterly Revitalize Puna community activation on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Pāhoa District Park Gym.
All residents are invited to this free event. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the program begins at 4:30 p.m. The activation concludes at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks will be onsite during the event, and residents who participate in specific activities will receive a free meal voucher.
“From activations to resilience projects, the Revitalize Puna initiative has led to greater County-community collaboration and incremental implementation of the Kīlauea Recovery & Resilience Plan,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, District 4 Council Member. “While we hold space for conversation, the emphasis is really on taking action. This revitalization program empowers community members to get engaged and make an impact.”
The theme of the October activation is “placemaking in Puna,” the process of creating quality places that Puna residents want to live, work, and play. The County will share how resident manaʻo has shaped plans and decision making, while community resilience action teams will discuss projects they are leading to strengthen the connection to place and create a more resilient Puna.
Revitalize Puna Resilience Capacity Areas will provide updates on their recovery efforts and share opportunities for Puna residents to get involved. Resilience Capacity Areas (RCAs) are multi-sector groups that work to implement projects identified in the Kilauea Recovery and Resilience Plan, supporting three strategies: recovery, readiness, and resilience. Implementation of the plan is organized around collaboration between six RCAs: Social, Cultural, Economic, Natural Environment, and Youth. Each RCA is led by Co-Chairs from the community and County.
County leadership will provide a status report on County infrastructure investments such as roads, water, and parks. Revitalize Pohoiki, a plan to restore Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Park and steward the greater Pohoiki region, will be unveiled following months of engagement with area ‘ohana and community members. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources will discuss ongoing efforts to restore the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will be on hand to share efforts to implement the island’s Destination Management Plan.
Following presentations, residents are encouraged to stay, enjoy a meal, and talk story with County, State, and Federal leaders. A Resilience Resource Row includes pop-ups from local nonprofits and volunteer opportunities to make a positive difference in Puna. In addition, crafts and activities for keiki will be available.
Register for the activation at revitalizepuna6.eventbrite.com
Pāhoa District Park Gym is located at 15-3022 Kauhale St, Pāhoa, HI 96778.
For more information, go to our website.. Revitalize Puna is made possible through the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge, a cooperative agreement with the USDA.
