2025 Resilience Hub Summit

Now in its fourth year, the Resilience Hub Summit has evolved into more than a gathering—it has become a space for reflection, reconnection, and reimagining how communities across Hawaiʻi prepare for and respond to disasters.

The summit brought together community leaders, emergency managers, government partners, and local experts to build and strengthen the Resilience Hub Network—a growing statewide initiative focused on community-led disaster preparedness and response. Participants engaged in workshops and discussions aimed at developing practical skills, building trust, and enhancing communication between residents and emergency response agencies.

“What I witnessed at this summit is how resilience is truly built—through community, shared learning, aloha, and a deep sense of kuleana and responsibility to one another. The summit created a space for all of that to come together.” said Amos Lonokailua-Hewitt, Maui Emergency Management. “I saw real steps forward in building a resilient community—one that’s leading the way for the entire state of Hawaiʻi.” 

In addition to a diverse group of sector partners, we welcomed members of the Koʻolau Resilience Hub Network - a sister network to the Hawaiʻi Island Hubs.

"This Resilience Hub Summit feels like a candy shop—with kuleana—because we’re being given so many tools with the responsibility to care for our communities and neighbors. It’s epic to see the tools, equipment, trainings, and partnerships that begin or take shape here." Joseph Wat, Koʻolau Resilience Hub Network.

With an outstanding lineup of guest speakers and subject matter experts, the summit created opportunities for meaningful connection, skill-building, and leadership development.

One highlight for Summit participants was enjoying freeze-dried lūʻau stew—preservable for up to 25 years. More than just a meal, it was a meaningful reminder that preserving food can also mean preserving culture, tradition, and the stories that bind us together. The meal, created by Keala Kahuanui (Nā Kālai Waʻa/Makaliʻi Crew Member) and Aunty Tammy Mahealani Smith was the culminating (deliverable) of a food preservation course recently completed by (9) Hawaiʻi Island community groups aimed to address food insecurity, contribute toward food rescue, circular economies, and community emergency preparedness. Through partnerships like this, the Resilience Hub Network is now better equipped than ever to support Hawaiʻi’s communities—not only in times of disaster, but in building long-term resilience from the ground up.

Each year, more individuals step into leadership roles, deepening the impact of the network and modeling what it means to show up for one another. These moments of convening are essential for both honoring what we’ve learned and looking ahead with intention.

Interested in starting a Resilience Hub in your community?Vibrant Hawaiʻi can help. Contact us at contact@vibranthawaii.org to learn how to get involved.