The City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting is set to host its second "Rebuild O‘ahu" event, just weeks after the first such event was held in Waialua.
This time, Rebuild O‘ahu will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Lā‘ie Hawai‘i Stake Center, located at 55-415 Iosepa St. in Lā‘ie.
Saturday's event aims to connect community members affected by recent severe storms with resources to help them navigate the rebuilding and recovery process, DPP said in a recent announcement.
In March, two back-to-back Kona Low storm systems battered the Islands in as many weeks, bringing heavy rain, flooding and destruction across the state. The two storms have been declared a federally recognized disaster.
"The city was invited by community members in Lāʻie, and recognized that there was a substantial number of damage assessment reports in the Lāʻie area," DPP spokesperson Davis Pitner told Aloha State Daily in an email. "And, based on the success in the Waialua rebuild event, we wanted to expand outreach further."
Pitner says Saturday's event is not only open to residents of Lā‘ie, but anyone affected by the storms.
It'll bring a number of city and state agencies together with other partners and nonprofits, who will be on-site to offer assistance, DPP says. Some of the participating organizations include the Building Industry Association of Hawai‘i, AIA Honolulu, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the city Department of Community Services, Real Property Assessment and Habitat for Humanity.
DPP staff can answer questions about building permits, grading, flood zones and special management area requirements among other topics and also provide step-by-step guidance through the permitting process, the announcement notes.
"The city and DPP want to meet storm-affected households and businesses where they are in their process to rebuild, and help them see the path forward to full recovery," Pitner says. "We recognize that rebuilding after a storm can feel overwhelming, which is why we’re working to provide as many resources and as much guidance as possible in one place.
"These efforts are especially important as FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] prepares to update its flood zone maps in June," he continued. "Those changes may impact how and where some residents are able to rebuild, and we want to make sure people understand what those updates mean for their specific properties. By offering direct access to staff and partner agencies, we can help answer questions, clarify requirements, and guide residents through what can sometimes be a complex process.
"Ultimately, these events are about making sure residents have the information, support and reassurance they need to move toward full recovery."
According to Pitner, approximately 150 households attended the first Rebuild O‘ahu on April 18.
"At the first event, many of the most common questions from residents focused on permitting requirements, what documents and steps are needed to apply, whether permit fees could be waived, how long the approval process might take, drainage, grading, and whether their properties are located within flood zones," he says. "These recurring concerns have been extremely valuable in shaping the city’s recovery efforts. They provide clear insight into the information gaps and priorities within the community. In response, we are actively updating DPP’s FAQs and developing additional guidance and resources to ensure residents have clearer, more accessible information moving forward."
Interested? DPP is offering free one-on-one prescheduled appointments with staff throughout the day. The 20-minute sessions are "designed to help participants understand the specific steps needed to repair or rebuild their home or business," the announcement says.
Walk-ins will be available, but DPP says appointments are "strongly encouraged." You can sign up here ahead of the event. Participants should arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled appointments for check-in.
Find storm-related frequently asked questions here and instructions on how to apply under the "Kona Low Rebuild" designation here.
As part of the ongoing recovery effort, DPP also recently launched the Rebuild Donation Match Registry, a new initiative from the city that aims to connect residents and businesses affected by the storms with donated construction materials and volunteer services.
Residents must have reported home damage from the storm to participate in the program. Those who have not yet done so, can submit a report by visiting oneoahu.org.
You can submit a request or donate materials or services here.
More information about Saturday's event can be found here.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
