Skip to Main Content

Hawaii Hazard Awareness and Resiliency Program

January 29, 2026

A brand new initiative to support community preparedness through partnerships and resources was developed by SCD and the Pacific Disaster Center in October 2012. The Hawaii Hazard Awareness and Resiliency Program was designed to: increase hazard awareness; enhance understanding of official warnings; educate residents on appropriate response actions; improve personal preparedness; identify a community’s existing skills and resources for disaster preparedness and response; provide guidance on hazard mitigation; aid community development of emergency plans and exercises; and, support community outreach events.

2013 Annual Report pp. 26

The Hawaii Hazard Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) continues to be a key element of resilience building for SCD/ HI-EMA. HHARP was unveiled to the emergency management ohana at the HEPHSW and has been introduced to half a dozen local communities. In June 2014, SCD/HI-EMA staff presented the HHARP concept at preparedness seminars statewide. The HHARP concept involves guiding self identified communities through a facilitated education and outreach program to promote hazard understanding and awareness and by offering tools and information resource in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

2014 Annual Report pp. 24-25

The Hawaii Hazard Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) is a key element of resilience building for HI-EMA. The HHARP concept involves guiding self identified communities through a facilitated education and outreach program to promote hazard understanding and awareness and by offering tools and informational resources in mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. In June 2015, Waimanalo was recognized as the first disaster resilient community by local, state and federal officials during the Waimanalo Emergency Preparedness Fair. The effort was spearheaded by the community group Hoomakaukau O Waimanalo, which translates to Get Ready Waimanalo

2015 Annual Report pp. 25-26

Waimanalo Recognized as HHARP Disaster Resilient Community

By Shelly Kunishige

Waimanalo was honored as a Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) disaster resilient community by local, state, and federal officials during the Waimanalo Emergency Preparedness Fair. This fair was held at the Hawaii National Guard Regional Training Institute on June 20, 2015. Fair organizers are members of a community group named Hoomakaukau O Waimanalo, which translates to Get Ready Waimanalo.

Hoomakaukau O Waimanalo worked with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM), and the Hawaii National Guard (HING) over an 18-month period to complete HHARP and is the first community to do so. “This is a prime example of disaster preparedness at a grass roots level,” said Kevin Richards, Earthquake and Tsunami Planner for the State of Hawaii and the creator of HHARP. “We recognize that communitites will have significant needs after a major disaster and HHARP enables them to respond and recover effectively as a community.”

HHARP was developed by Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) in 2013. The goal of the program is to enhance community resilience to hazards. The HHARP method for achieving this goal is taking the communities through a facilitated education and outreach program to promote hazard understanding and awareness and by offering tools and information resources in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Through the HHARP process Hoomakaukau O Waimanalo also earned their StormReady and TsunamiReady designations. StormReady and TsunamiReady requirements include demonstration that the community has: a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center (at the City and County and State); multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and multiple methods for alerting the public; a system to monitor local weather conditions; held community seminars to promote readiness; and, developed a formal hazardous weather plan.

HI-EMA, DEM, and HING continue to introduce and administer HHARP in island communities. Actively engaged communities include Aina Haina, Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waianae. If you are interested in learning more about HHARP, please contact Kevin Richards at (808) 733-4300 or [email protected].

2015 July Pūpūkahi pp. 1 & 7

HHARP: Prepare communities to be self-reliant before, during, and after natural hazard events, improve their ability to take care of their own needs, and reduce the negative impacts of disasters.

2019 Annual Report pp. 32

HHARP

Hanapēpē-Eleele recognized as the first neighbor island community to complete the HHARP program.

Five communities participated in the Hawai‘i Hazards Awareness and Resiliency Program in FY19; Mānoa, Hanapēpē, Eleele, Kīhei, and Lahaina.

2019 Annual Report pp. 33

Hanapepe-Eleele Recognized As HHARP Disaster Resilient Community –

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency – Arlina Agbayani

Hanapepe-Eleele HHARP was honored as a Hawai’i Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) disaster resilient community by local and state officials during the Kaua’i Community Disaster Preparedness Fair. This fair was held at the Hanapepe National Guard Armory on May 18, 2019. Fair organizers are members of a community group named HanapepeEleele HHARP.

Hanapepe-Eleele together with Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), Kaua’i County Emergency Management (KEMA), and the Department of Defense worked together for a three-year period to complete HHARP and is the first neighbor island to do so.

“In terms of disaster resiliency, this is a great moment for the community,” said Luke Meyers, Executive Officer of HI-EMA. “With everything that the Garden Island has endured, the formation of HanapepeEleele HHARP is vital for the outreach and education necessary to keep Kaua’i strong.”

HHARP was developed by HI-EMA in 2013. The goal of the program is to enhance community resilience against hazards. The HHARP method for achieving this goal is taking the communities through a facilitated education and outreach program to promote hazard understanding and awareness and by offering tools and information resources in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

HI-EMA continues to introduce and administer HHARP in island communities. Actively engaged communities include Ewa Beach, Hawai’i Kai, Kane’ohe, Kahalu’u, and Mililani. If you are interested in learning more about HHARP, please contact Bruce Oliveira at 808-429-8514 or [email protected].

2019 Summer Pupukahi pp. 4

Hanapepe-Eleele Recognized As HHARP Disaster Resilient Community –

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency – Arlina Agbayani

Hanapepe-Eleele HHARP was honored as a Hawai’i Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) disaster resilient community by local and state officials during the Kaua’i Community Disaster Preparedness Fair. This fair was held at the Hanapepe National Guard Armory on May 18, 2019. Fair organizers are members of a community group named HanapepeEleele HHARP.

Hanapepe-Eleele together with Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), Kaua’i County Emergency Management (KEMA), and the Department of Defense worked together for a three-year period to complete HHARP and is the first neighbor island to do so.

“In terms of disaster resiliency, this is a great moment for the community,” said Luke Meyers, Executive Officer of HI-EMA. “With everything that the Garden Island has endured, the formation of HanapepeEleele HHARP is vital for the outreach and education necessary to keep Kaua’i strong.”

HHARP was developed by HI-EMA in 2013. The goal of the program is to enhance community resilience against hazards. The HHARP method for achieving this goal is taking the communities through a facilitated education and outreach program to promote hazard understanding and awareness and by offering tools and information resources in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

HI-EMA continues to introduce and administer HHARP in island communities. Actively engaged communities include Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, and Mililani.

2019 Winter Pupukahi pp. 11

Hawai‘i Hazard Awareness and Resiliency Program (HHARP): The aim of the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) is to help communities prepare to be self-reliant during and after natural hazard events, improve their ability to take care of their own needs, and reduce the negative impacts of disasters.

2020 Annual Report pp. 31