On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, new deputy director for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) Dr. Kealoha Fox joins host Brandi Higa to talk about the role climate plays in the deadly wildfires we’re seeing more and more of, her priorities as she steps into this new role, and how culture plays a role in her work.
Wildfire Threats
Research shows that changes in climate are creating drier, warmer conditions which, when mixed with increased drought, are increasing wildfire risks and the extent of wildfires throughout our country. The City and County of Honolulu is actively working to prevent another devastating blaze like what we saw in Lahaina, Maui or what firefighters are currently battling throughout Los Angeles County, California.
“Our team here has paid attention to those known hazards that data and science is telling us is already impacting O‘ahu,” explained Dr. Fox.
She goes on to talk about the partnerships already built with agencies like the Honolulu Fire Department and the additional tools or resources CCSR has offered up to assist some of the projects other agencies are working on.
Leadership Priorities
Mayor Blangiardi announced the appointment of Dr. Kealoha Fox as the new Deputy Director of CCSR on Nov. 15, 2024. Dr. Fox brings over 15 years of experience in Native Hawaiian health, climate policy, and social health integration, bridging Indigenous innovation with the City’s efforts to create a more resilient future. One of her top priorities in this new leadership role is improving communication between the City and members of the community.
“One of the things that I really want to help with is making sure that our communications, our messaging, is multiple pathways,” said Dr. Fox. “It’s not just us sharing outwardly with the community, but making sure that we’re out there listening to hearing what people’s needs are.”
Dr. Fox’s extensive background includes leadership positions within Hawai‘i’s nonprofit, healthcare, and academic sectors, most recently as President of the Institute for Climate & Peace and Director of Health Equity at AlohaCare.
The Importance of Culture
Dr. Fox earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Hawai‘i’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, where her research on integrating traditional Hawaiian practices in healthcare has set new quality standards for culturally informed services. On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, she talks about efforts to look at culture and heritage as a positive way to accelerate climate action.
“We just got off a call to think about how indigenous solutions, how community-based solutions that are long-term, whether we’re talking about food, whether we’re talking about water, if we’re talking about conservation for land, for instance, all of those areas have deep and rich cultural histories to them.”
For more information on the programs and resources from the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, please visit https://www.resilientoahu.org/