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Kauai nonprofit describes community hazard mitigation pilot and asks DHHL support
Summary
Ainah Alliance board president Jeremy Mkepwa told the commission about a DHHL grant and multi‑agency pilot to build community resilience in Anahola, including firebreaks, isolation zones, water catchment and community action teams.
Jeremy Mkepwa, board president of Ainah Alliance, told the Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 20 about a multi‑year community hazard mitigation and resilience effort in Anahola that began with wildfire mitigation and has expanded into disaster planning, mapping and community action teams.
Mkepwa said Ainah Alliance used a DHHL grant for a Makai management plan and worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to produce conservation maps and technical plans for about 400 acres. He described partnerships with the County of Kauai and a NOAA Building Back Better pilot that produced scenario maps — flooding, wildfire, isolation zones — and community action‑team frameworks designed so neighbors could assist one another during and after disasters.
Mkepwa emphasized practical steps residents can take, including strategic firebreaks, removal of abandoned vehicles, designated resiliency hubs and staging laydown yards for barge deliveries. He described how NRCS helped the group assess erosion, soil and revegetation choices following firebreak construction, and said Ainah Alliance has been used as a statewide demonstration project posted on DHHL’s website.
Commissioners praised the group’s leadership and suggested the model be shared statewide. Commissioner remarks noted community leaders and volunteers already helping on the ground and encouraged DHHL to support grant workshops and applicant assistance so other communities could replicate the work.
Mkepwa asked DHHL to expand grant workshops and technical assistance because many community groups need help applying for and administering grants; several commissioners said the department can and should run more workshops. The commission did not take formal action during the testimony but thanked Mkepwa and encouraged continued partnership with DHHL.
