Students and leaders from the Kibou For Maui program reconvened at University of Hawaii Maui College campus on August 13, 2024 to discuss community issues that greatly contribute to the rebuilding of Lahaina, Maui. The seminar included engaging sessions and discussions with community leaders, disaster resilience experts, and participants from the recent trip to Tohoku. The seminar explored a variety of themes with focus on Maui’s preparedness, resilience, and the difficult decisions impacting future generations. A common theme that emerged was “Build It Better,” which served as a positive guiding principle throughout the day’s discussions.
Prominent disaster-related academics from Tohoku University IRIDeS (International Research Institute of Disaster Science), whom the leadership delegation visited, joined the seminar. Information presented included a historic overview of disasters and recovery efforts in Japan (Tohoku University Professor Satoru Nishikawa, Professor Liz Maly, Former Professor David Nguyen); the current status of rebuilding initiatives on Maui (Col. Eric Swenson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recovery Field Office Commander); disaster studies and the relationships made between universities (University of Hawaii, Dean of Social Sciences Denise Konan). Panel discussions were organized by the participants of the Leadership Delegation members and included Maui representatives from the Maui Emergency Management Agency, tourism and agricultural industries.
Several Kibou For Maui participants from Lahainaluna High School participated on a student panel, moderated by Council Leader Nate Gyotoku (Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii President & Executive Director, ELP ’13). The students shared their impressions and take-aways of the trip to Tohoku, where they saw first-hand the rebuilding of disaster sites and businesses affected by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.
Mayor Richard Bissen represented the Kibou For Maui Leaders Delegation who visited Tohoku and where they met professional counterparts in fields such as infrastructure, remediation, healthcare, business innovations and other community building efforts. The delegation included 15 Maui leaders who represent similar sectors. The day ended with a Maui-style reception, hosted by Chancellor Lui Hokoana of the University of Hawaii Maui College.
A follow-up event is scheduled in Tokyo to once again convene participants of Kibou For Maui, and will coincide with USJC’s Annual Conference.
USJC is deeply thankful to the Government of Japan for their contributions to the people of Maui following the wildfire disaster and for funding and supporting this project to bring hope and recovery to the Maui community.
Special thanks to USJC Board Member Yoh Kawanami (JALD ’24), the visionary who created the program; Royanne Doi; Nate Gyotoku (ELP ‘13); Kyoko Kimura; Naoki Nagai; Miku Narisawa; Deidre Tegarden; Dennis Teranishi; Yoshimitsu Umahashi; Central Institute of Electric Power Industry; Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i; Maui County Mayor’s Office; PICHTR; Nisei Veterans Memorial Center; Odyssey Nature Japan and Tohoku University.