Youth

Development

The HVERI Youth Development Program aims to harness young people's enthusiasm and potential to innovate and lead in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, utilizing advanced technologies, social media, and the creative arts.

Designed to equip youth aged 13 to 25 with critical thinking, leadership, technological, and communication skills, the program focuses on developing solutions that enhance disaster resilience and community safety through educational and practical experiences.

Key Components

  • Tailored sessions led by experts in the sciences of geology, AI, social media, and resilience building to provide foundational knowledge and stimulate innovative thinking.

  • The program kicks off with its inaugural project, "Youth Development for Disaster Preparedness with Social Media and Artificial Intelligence." Participants will develop campaigns that leverage AI tools to tackle hazard awareness and preparedness effectively via social media platforms. This hands-on STEM experience will highlight the power of digital tools in advocacy and change. In another planned project, “Creative Youth Development for Disaster Preparedness,” participants will produce creative content through artistic media.

  • Participants will be paired with mentors who are professionals in tech, emergency management, and related fields. This network will provide guidance and foster connections that support the participants’ professional growth.

  • Participants will have opportunities to engage in internships within HVERI or with our partners. These positions will be focused on contributing to our mission of improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and will involve hands-on projects and leadership roles in developing our resilience network.

  • All participants will engage in community outreach and resilience-building activities, applying their skills in real-world scenarios to benefit local communities.

  • The program's participants will receive continued support through advanced training opportunities, alumni networks, and professional development resources to further their impact in the field of disaster resilience.

Impact Goals

  • Provide youths with the skills necessary to utilize technology, the creative arts, and social media to enhance disaster resilience and awareness of hazards.

  • Develop a cadre of young leaders ready to innovate and lead in disaster preparedness and resilience efforts.

  • Directly contribute to safer communities through educated and empowered youths who are equipped to manage and mitigate disaster risks.

Aloha AI Watchtower

Collaboration with the UH Hilo computer science department includes a project using AI to compile real-time disaster reports from social media. Paired with our community distribution network on Hawai’i Tracker, this software tool allows us to filter information to County emergency managers to improve disaster response.