Ocean View Disaster Preparedness Fair Features Mauna Loa Experts, Radio Upgrade

The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency will present a Disaster Preparedness Fair in Ocean View on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Ocean View Community Center. The event is aimed at rural residents across Hawaiʻi Island and is hosted by the Ocean View Resilience Hub and the Hawaiian Volcanoes Education and Resilience Institute (HVERI).

Civil Defense and experts from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will deliver presentations on Mauna Loa eruptions and community preparedness. HVERI’s presentation will be webcast, providing an option for residents who cannot attend in person. The fair will include prize giveaways and dedicated time for residents to "talk story" about emergency preparedness and disaster response.

Organizers describe the event as part of an outreach series focused on rural communities. The focus on Ocean View responds to the logistical challenges that Kaʻū and South Kona residents often face during emergencies, including variable cell and internet coverage. The fair is intended to increase local awareness of evacuation options, sheltering strategies, and communications habits that can improve outcomes during volcanic activity or other disasters.

A technical upgrade to local broadcasting will also be highlighted. KWXX has expanded a stronger radio signal into Kaʻū and South Kona, a change intended to improve reception of emergency alerts in those communities. For residents with limited broadband access or intermittent cellular service, a more reliable AM/FM signal can be a critical redundancy for receiving official alerts and instructions during an emergency.

The Ocean View Resilience Hub will be on hand to connect attendees with local resilience projects and volunteer opportunities. Civil Defense staff will provide information about county response protocols, and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory experts will outline eruption scenarios and monitoring methods relevant to Mauna Loa. The webcast option for HVERI’s presentation aims to extend the event’s reach to remote residents and those following updates from work or care responsibilities.

For Ocean View and nearby Kaʻū and South Kona neighborhoods, the fair offers both practical information and community-level coordination. Residents can compare notes with neighbors during "talk story" sessions, pick up printed resources, and learn where to tune in for KWXX emergency broadcasts. The prize giveaways add an incentive for participation but the central value is improved local preparedness and clearer communication channels.

What comes next is the fair itself on Jan. 24 and, afterward, the practical test of the radio upgrade and outreach network during routine alerts. Attending the event or viewing HVERI’s webcast will let residents check radio reception, update household plans, and connect with county and USGS experts about Mauna Loa risks and response options.