Communication & Community Outreach for Rebuilding
At the heart of an effective recovery process lies transparent communication and genuine community engagement. By fostering open dialogues, Maui County ensures that its recovery strategies are in tune with the community's needs, values, and aspirations. A community that is informed and engaged is more resilient, cooperative, and supportive of recovery efforts.
The Communications and Public Information Team has the primary responsibility for providing information to the public on Recovery. It is the responsibility of those serving on the communications teams to develop a comprehensive public information plan and execute that plan.
Mechanisms for Ongoing Communication with the Public May Include:
Public Information Hub: A centralized digital platform, such as a website or app, dedicated to providing updates on recovery progress, future plans, and critical announcements.
Town Hall Meetings: Regularly scheduled in-person or virtual meetings where officials provide updates, and residents can ask questions and voice concerns.
Community Bulletin Boards: Physical boards placed in key community locations (like community centers, schools, and local businesses) displaying important updates and announcements.
Social Media Channels: Using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to disseminate
information, share stories, and engage with the younger demographic.SMS & Email Alerts: A system where residents can opt-in to receive real-time alerts and important announcements directly on their phones or in their email inboxes.
Local Media Partnerships: Collaborations with local radio, television, and newspapers to ensure wide-reaching and consistent messaging.
Community Feedback and Its Incorporation into the Recovery Process:
Solicitation of community feedback will be a shared responsibility of members of the Office of Recovery. The Communications and Public Information Team and the Community Planning RSF will work collaboratively to lead community input processes. The Administrative Support Team will support efforts to document and disseminate outcomes of community feedback processes for incorporation into RSF activities. All recovery support functions will participate in the public input process based on the scope and needs determined by the Community Planning RSF.
Feedback Portals: Online platforms or mobile apps where residents can submit their feedback, suggestions, or concerns related to recovery efforts.
Community Surveys: Periodic digital and physical surveys distributed among residents to gauge their satisfaction with recovery efforts, gather their insights, and understand their evolving needs.
Focus Group Discussions: Engaging diverse groups of residents in detailed discussions about specific aspects of the recovery. This could include groups centered around business owners, parents, the elderly, or representatives from various neighborhoods.
Public Comment Sessions: Designated segments during town hall meetings or separate sessions where residents can provide feedback on proposed recovery strategies or projects.
Feedback Review Committees: Committees dedicated to regularly reviewing the feedback collected, identifying patterns or common issues, and translating them into actionable insights.
Integration into Strategy Development: Ensuring that feedback received directly informs the refinement of recovery strategies. For example, if a significant number of residents raise concerns about a specific housing project, the strategy would be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.
Transparency in Feedback Utilization: Providing updates back to the community about how their feedback was used, ensuring they feel heard and valued. This could be done through the Public Information Hub or during town hall meetings.