Historic Resources Committee

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How HRC can help the Maui community

  • 1.  How HRC can help the Maui community

    Posted 08-22-2023 11:37 AM

    With the devastating wildfires in Maui, the AIA has been offering support to the community,  local and state agencies. Here is one way our HRC members can be involved. Please also see the other links below to read more.

    Dr. Janet Six, Principal Archaeologist for the County of Maui, is compiling a database of professionals working in fields related to historic preservation who are qualified and willing to help with the Lahaina disaster once the area is deemed safe by FEMA. They are looking for architectural historians, historic architects, structural engineers, cultural monitors, archaeological monitors and other professionals working in this field.

    Aloha kakou,

     

    On behalf of the County of Maui, I have been creating a database of those qualified and willing to help with the Lahaina disaster once the area is deemed safe by FEMA. We are looking for architectural historians, historic architects, structural engineers, cultural monitors, archaeological monitors and other professionals working in this field. This is a monumental task that will require us to mobilize a well-trained and compassionate task force to deal with the aftermath.

     

    Please send me your name, affiliation, qualifications, phone number, email and CV. Please be sure to note if you are SOI qualified and/or FEMA certified.

     

    Tanya Lee-Greig (tanya@ainaarch.com), Mara Mulrooney (mulrooney@pacificlegacy.com) and Peter Mills (millsp@hawaii.edu) are working to amass screens to be used by both professionals and individual home owners to recover artifacts that may have survived the fire. If you have a surplus you can donate, please reach out to them for location drop off on your island.

     

    Dr. Trisha Watson (watson@honuaconsulting.com) has been coordinating with FEMA on security and providing tarps to protect historic sites from inclement weather.

     

    SHPD GIS expert, Michael Wahl (Michael.A.Wahl@hawaii.gov) has been creating a GIS layer showing all known cultural sites in the fire damage area. If you have worked in this area and have useful spatial information on cultural sites please send it to Mike.

     

    SHPD Architecture Branch Chief, Jessica Puff (jessica.puff@hawaii.gov) and County of Maui Long Range Planning Division Architectural Historian, Stanley Solamillo (Stanley.C.Solamillo@co.maui.hi.us) are pulling together maps, historic photographs, etc. of Lahaina town. If you have any, please reach out to them.

     

    I know many are anxious to help, but FEMA has made their priorities clear. Prior to any of our recovery efforts they need to 1.) contain the fire; 2.) rescue and recover those still missing; 3.) remove hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, mercury); 4.) bring in FEMA qualified historic preservation experts and structural engineers to determine structural damage to historic buildings.

     

    This is a painful and painstaking process for many of us as we want to rush in and be of assistance, but we must first be sure the areas are safe to enter before bringing in additional help.

     

    On a personal note, I would also remind people to be mindful that many are still processing this unprecedented loss of lives, livelihoods, history and culture, while trying to find the best and most culturally appropriate way to move forward.

     

    Malama pono,

    J6

    Janet Six, PhD

    Principal Archaeologist for the County of Maui

    Janet.Six@co.maui.hi.us

    (808) 344-0566

    Additional ways HRC Members can learn more and provide support:

    Near-term/ongoing opportunities:

    • In light of National Preparedness Month in September, AIA is hosting a Preparedness Month AIAU Series to help architects better prepare for ongoing disasters and hazards affecting communities.
    • Quarterly Safety Assessment Program certification training is offered through AIAU: upcoming sessions October 4-5 and December 6-7.
    • Opportunities to pilot a 'Design Assistance Rapid Response Team' with the Disaster Assistance Committee in conjunction with the Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group-and HRC would be invaluable--for interdisciplinary support to assist disaster impacted communities, post immediate disaster response, in developing short term and long range resilient and sustainable rebuilding efforts
    • As immediate response efforts settle, the Architects Foundation's Communities by Design program can offer help with recovery and future preparedness
    • Participation in the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team to evaluate the performance of buildings and related infrastructure in response to the effects of natural and man-made hazards.
    • AIA federal advocacy partnership through the AIA Building Resilience Advocacy Network to develop policy and funding opportunities for community resilience through FEMA and other agencies, such as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants, and passage of the recent Community Disaster Resilience Zones ACT (CDRZ) to foster equity for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.
    • AIA Codes and Standards development for national model codes, and AIA Architects in Action network for state and local government advocacy such as for building codes enhancements and funding for community resilience.



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    Elizabeth Hallas AIA
    Anderson Hallas Architects, P.C.
    Golden CO
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