The Maui News

The Maui County Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability will hold four community talk story sessions to discuss the formation of resiliency hubs aimed at responding to disasters in Maui County.

The events are scheduled to take place at:

• Lahaina Kaunoa Senior Center at 788 Pauoa St. from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

• Velma McWayne Santos Community Center at 395 Waena Pl. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

• Mitchell Pauole Community Center at 90 Ainoa St. in Kaunakakai from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday.

• Hana Bay Pavilion at 150 Keawa Pl. from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday.

“Resilience Hubs help communities respond to natural and other disasters to expedite emergency recovery,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a news release. “These hubs work best when they are customized to meet specific community needs. So please participate in the workshop closest to where you live. In this era of climate change and extreme weather, there’s no such thing as being over-prepared for the unexpected.”

Community input will help determine what services will be offered in resiliency hubs, but they are envisioned as places, most of the time, for residents, businesses and organizations to come together for workshops, events and training, the county said. Hubs would be centers for emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

In the event of a natural disaster, resilience hubs would be emergency response centers to support immediate community needs such as connecting residents and businesses with supplies, shelter, information and support, the county said. The hubs could also be centers for disaster recovery and ongoing community needs.

At the talk story sessions, community members can learn more about the hubs, identify sites for them and determine what programs and services are needed.

For more information, visit resilientmauinui.org, follow on Facebook or Instagram @countyofmaui or contact the office by emailing CCRS.office@mauicounty.gov or by calling (808) 270-7855.