HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Dozens of Oahu residents impacted by recent storms gathered Saturday at Waialua District Park, where a community recovery event aimed to help families continue rebuilding after months of flooding damage.<\/p>\n
The \u201cRebuild Oahu\u201d event<\/a>, organized by the city\u2019s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), brought together nearly two dozen city agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses offering appliances, permitting guidance and cleanup resources, all under one roof.<\/p>\n Inside the park gymnasium, residents moved from table to table, meeting directly with service providers, many still navigating repairs weeks after heavy rains flooded homes across the island.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes me emotional. It was some of these families lost everything,\u201d said Lianne Cameron, business development director with Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution (PHAD) Home Appliance.<\/p>\n Cameron said flood damage often leaves homes unlivable without basic appliances, prompting the company to assist families trying to restore daily routines.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a 40,000 square foot warehouse that is packed to the brim of everything,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cNot just for the flooding, but for all of the different businesses and construction industry that we support here in Hawaii.\u201d<\/p>\n Organizers said recovery requires coordination beyond supplies alone. Representatives from multiple agencies scheduled one-on-one appointments with residents seeking help with rebuilding, drainage concerns and permitting questions.<\/p>\n DPP Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna said many residents remain uncertain about their next steps.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve talked to a few, and they still are kind of in a state of figuring out what\u2019s next,\u201d Apuna said. \u201cHow do I make sure that the drainage that\u2019s affecting my property is taken care of? And so we\u2019re trying to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n Among those attending were Pupukea residents Jerin and Amari Kelly, whose home sustained significant damage during the storms.<\/p>\n \u201cOur house flooded\u2026 there were leaks in every aspect of our house,\u201d Jerin Kelly said. \u201cWe had leaks in the roof, leaks through the windows. We had to spend a couple days cleaning up, drying up, taking the drywall down and replacing it.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple said power outages and food loss added to the challenges, but community support has helped.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost a lot of food. Electricity was out for a couple of days, but the community outreach here has been absolutely amazing,\u201d Amari Kelly said.<\/p>\n They added they attended not only for their own recovery but to gather information for neighbors and friends still struggling after the floods.<\/p>\n Officials said steady turnout throughout the day highlighted the ongoing need for recovery assistance across Oahu. While Saturday\u2019s event was limited to Waialua, organizers plan to expand outreach to other communities.<\/p>\n \u201cWe probably will have another \u2018Rebuild Oahu\u2019 event in Laie coming up and maybe other parts of the island,\u201d Apuna said. \u201cWe\u2019re really happy with today\u2019s turnout and hope that we\u2019re helping people one by one.\u201d<\/p>\n DPP encourages the public to visit their website<\/a> or contact their offices for additional assistance and information.<\/p>\n