Hawaii County, HI Recovery Site
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The Economic Resilience Capacity Area is chaired by community members Susie Osborne and Brent Norris and Ashley Kierkiewicz, County Councilmember for District 4.
Vision for Resilience
Resilience Hubs | Industry & Workforce Development | Technology & Innovation
Community Involvement:
We’re excited to announce that the County of Hawai’i in a partnership with Hoʻoulu Lāhui have been selected as a host community for the inaugural #EconomicRecoveryCorps program. We were matched with Mina Viritua Jr. as our Fellow for the next 2.5 years to support diversifying and strengthening the Puna economy. Mina is a passionate advocate deeply rooted in the Hilo and Puna community.
With more than 500 host applications, we are thrilled to be one of 65 organizations and fellows joining this exciting first cohort of economic development professionals who are committed to building stronger, more resilient, and inclusive economies across the nation! Learn more about our fellow and our project:
Press Release - ERC Fellow and Host Site Announcement
To Get Involved
To get involved, complete this interest form.
Progress
October-December 2021
- Economic Development Survey
- Collaborated on draft
- Digital Literacy Program
- Connected with resources to launch
- Placemaking
- Connected with Pohoiki ‘ohana for stories
- Revitalize Pohoiki
- Co-led community engagement and design of planning process
- Paint Pāhoa Town
- Over six weeks, students conducted outreach with businsses
- Resilience Hubs
- Collaborated with Social and Built RCAs to identify sites
Meetings
Government representatives and residents met November 16th, 2023 to discuss strategies on how to make Puna more food efficient and sustainable. From organizing our farmers crop choices to market distribution, we're looking for input on how to make the best out of the produce and products the ʻāina gives us.
If you'd like to get involved, email aloha@revitalizepuna.gov.
Projects
Paint Pāhoa Town
Updated on 01/03/2022 11:13 AM
As part of the Paint Pāhoa Town project, Nancy Seifers, former Pāhoa High & Intermediate teacher and counselor, took students from the Hawai‘i Academy of Arts and Science to research the history of the town and talk to shop owners.
Paint Pāhoa Town Videos:
Economic RCA Update -- Jan. 11, 2022