In response to the devastating Kona Low storm systems that struck O‘ahu in March, the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is organizing a 'Rebuild O‘ahu' event.

This initiative aims to assist residents in navigating the rebuilding process after the severe weather caused extensive flooding and damage across the island.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Community Assistance Center located in the Waialua District Park gymnasium.

Residents affected by the storms are encouraged to attend to access a wide range of resources and support services.

Multiple city and state agencies, along with private vendors and community partners, will be present to provide guidance on various aspects of the rebuilding process.

Attendees can expect assistance with building permits, zoning regulations, and repair procedures.

Participating organizations include the Building Industry Association, American Institute of Architects, General Contractors Association, Honsador Lumber, Fellows Construction, Haloa Construction, Cessa Corp, University of Hawai‘i, city Real Property Tax, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Honolulu Department of Community Services, and Honolulu Department of Customer Service.

These partners will offer a comprehensive range of support to help residents rebuild.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the rebuilding process, including which emergency repairs require permits and which do not.

DPP staff will be available to answer questions about building permits, grading, flood and special management area requirements, assist with creating HNL Build accounts, and help guide participants through the permitting process.

Recognizing the challenges homeowners face in the aftermath of a disaster, DPP is offering free one-on-one prescheduled appointments with staff throughout the day.

These 20-minute sessions will focus on helping participants navigate the process to repair or rebuild their home or business, including zoning, permitting pathways, and any required approvals.

While walk-ins are welcome, advanced registration is strongly encouraged to ensure timely assistance.

In addition to the 'Rebuild O‘ahu' event, the city has launched the Rebuild Donation Match Registry.

This initiative connects residents and businesses affected by the storms with donated construction materials and volunteer services.

To participate, residents must have reported home damage from the storm.

Those who have not yet done so can submit a report by visiting the city's official website.

For more information on the event, including additional vendors, participants, and informational briefings scheduled throughout the day, residents are encouraged to visit the DPP's website.

For further assistance, residents can contact DPP at dpp@honolulu.gov.

As the community comes together to rebuild, events like 'Rebuild O‘ahu' play a crucial role in providing the necessary support and resources to those affected by the recent storms.

By leveraging the expertise of various organizations and fostering collaboration, Honolulu aims to help residents restore their homes and businesses efficiently and effectively.