Konawaena continues search for oldest alumnus for centennial celebration
The Konawaena High School Centennial Committee is still looking for the oldest living graduate of the Kealakekua school.
The committee is looking to honor the almunus during its centennial celebration currently slated for Oct. 15 and 16, 2021.
To nominate a graduate, email their name, the year they graduated, and contact information to konawaenacentennial@gmail.com.
For more information, email Sandra Taosaka, Centennial Committee co-chair, at konawaenacentennial@gmail.com.
Grants available to reduce disaster impacts
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced funding for two 2020 hazard mitigation programs: The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program.
These programs help communities lower the impacts and costs of disasters by investing before disasters occur.
The BRIC Program provides funding opportunities to state agencies, county governments, and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations to implement mitigation projects to protect lives and properties. To be eligible, a project must be listed in the state mitigation plan or county mitigation plan. This program authorizes that 75% of the project cost will be funded by federal funds. The sub-applicant is responsible for the remaining 25%, which must be from a non-federal source.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) will review all applications and will determine the funding priorities in conjunction with the State Hazard Mitigation Forum.
“In terms of flood mitigation, these two grants are great opportunities to plan ahead during hurricane season,” said State Hazard Mitigation Officer Larry Kanda. “The BRIC program funds a range of projects to help Hawaii protect against hurricanes, floods, wildfires and the impacts to critical infrastructure.”
The FMA grant program provides funding assistance to state agencies, county governments, and certain PNPs to reduce risk or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures which are insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As in the case with the BRIC program, eligible projects must be included in the state hazard mitigation plan or county mitigation plan.
The deadline to submit the notice of intent to HI-EMA is Sept. 18.
For more information, contact Larry Kanda, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, at (808) 733-4300, ext. 516, or via email to larry.kanda@hawaii.gov.
West Hawaii Today wants to share your news with our Hawaii Island readers. To submit a press release or announcement, visit https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story. WHT reserves the right to edit and does not guarantee publication.