February 8 marked the six-month anni­versary of the Maui wildfires. As we continue to work towards recovery, I was able to visit the island again and witness firsthand the efforts of many hands on the ground. While there, I attended a long-term recovery meeting with Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, FEMA, and other fed­eral agencies and stakeholders to discuss the progress being made on Maui. I’m grateful that all partners continue to work towards the building of longer-term transitional housing options for our Maui survivors. (Read more)

In the middle of February, the Green Administration part­nered with HomeAid Hawai‘i, Project Vision Hawai‘i (PVH), and the Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (H3RC) to open the state’s second and third kauhale; Ka Malu Ko‘olau (meaning the protection of the Ko‘olau) in Kāne‘ohe, and Ho‘okahi Leo (meaning a community with one voice) in Honolulu. (Read more)

On February 20, Governor Josh Green, M.D., signed an executive order declaring Hawai‘i a trauma-informed state. Becoming a trauma-informed state will help alleviate some of the impacts of trauma, and build resilience in our families, communities, and state workforce. The order invites state employees to take a survey from the Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR) to help determine what is needed to provide trauma-informed and healing-centered care to the people they serve – and this starts with supporting our own staff’s wellness and resilience. (Read more)

MAYOR WRIGHT HOMES REDEVELOPMENT APPROVED

The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and Highridge Costa Development Company have received approval from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to move forward with the redevelopment plan for Mayor Wright Homes. (Read more)

UH WEST OʻAHU FORGES AHEAD WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FILM STUDIO

The University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu (UHWO) took a sig­nificant step in making a state-of-the-art film studio a reality. The new film studio, the Academy for Creative Media (ACM) West O‘ahu building, will transform the campus and have a major impact on the film and television industry in the state. UH has selected the Island Productions LLC team — a diverse group with local and national experience in film studio and commercial development and operations — as the project developer. (Read more)

EXPLORE AND CONNECT AT YOUR STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Hawai‘i’s 50 vibrant public libraries are a great way to explore and connect. Libraries exist in many communities serving as lively hubs that cater to the diverse needs of people of all ages statewide. One can enjoy the library in person or explore it online. Hawai‘i state libraries are a treasure trove of free entertainment, learning opportunities, and more. (Read more)