001: WELCOME TO DAY 1! From Flames to Futures: Navigating Wildfire Leadership with Hope and Resilience with Jennifer Gray Thompson | Land Acknowledgement with Paʻele Kiakona

How to Disaster

2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Episode Description:

“The most important people in the room are the people who have lived it, who went to bed one night and the next day when they woke up, their lives were absolutely never the same.” —Jennifer Gray Thompson

“In Hawaii, we call land Aina, and within that word is the word AI, and AI is food, and that is what nourishes you. So we understand the relationship between man and land. If we care for the land, in turn, it will take care of us.” —Paʻele Kiakona

Welcome to the first day of the 2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT!

We're thrilled to have you join us as we come together to navigate the challenges and opportunities of wildfire leadership. This event is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community.

Today, we are joined by an incredible group of leaders, innovators, and community members who have come together to navigate the challenges of wildfire recovery and resilience. From frontline responders to policymakers, each guest in attendance has a unique story to share and valuable insights to offer. Their diverse perspectives and experiences will inspire you and ignite your passion for making a difference in the face of natural disasters.

Tune in as our host, Jennifer Gray Thompson, takes the stage to share a message of hope and vision for the future. Plus, hear Lahaina Strong’s Paʻele Kiakona as he delivers a powerful land acknowledgment speech about honoring the land that sustains us. Don't miss this inspiring start to the summit!

Connect with After The Fire USA:

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

• 00:47 6 Years and 11 Months Ago
• 01:49 Land Acknowledgement
• 04:48 From Flames to Future
• 09:54 The World Is Worth Believing In

👩🏻‍💼Meet Jennifer Gray Thompson, MPA, Founder & CEO of After the Fire USA

Jennifer Gray Thompson, named one of Forbes’ “50 over 50” IMPACT Leaders in 2022, has led Rebuild North Bay Foundation since January 2018, transforming it into a national leader in megafire recovery. A lifelong Sonoma Valley resident, she holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from USC and has worked for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Post-2017 North Bay fires, she became Executive Director of RNBF, which aids wildfire-affected communities across the American West. As CEO, she developed the Wildfire Resiliency Network and Survivor Deployment Model, advocated for federal policies, and hosted national Wildfire Leadership summits. Jennifer also created the “How to Disaster” podcast and serves on boards supporting Latino communities and first responders’ mental health.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

👨🏻‍💼Meet Paʻele Kiakona, Lead Organizer & President of Save Honolua Coalition

Paʻele Kiakona is the driving force behind Lahaina Strong, uniting the team and ensuring the community has a seat at the table for all critical conversations about Lahaina’s recovery. A Native Hawaiian with deep ancestral roots in Lahaina, Paʻele gained prominence as the president of the Save Honolua Coalition, where he led efforts to protect Honolua Bay’s fragile reefs from damage. His passion for environmental preservation is backed by his degree in Environmental Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

A former Hawaiian immersion student and Kamehameha Schools graduate, Paʻele is deeply connected to his culture, ensuring that traditional values are at the forefront of his leadership. His voice is recognized and respected by elected officials, community leaders, and the public, solidifying him as a wise and passionate young leader with a bright future.

Under his leadership, Lahaina Strong advocates for sustainable, community-first recovery efforts. Paʻele’s ability to bring people together and ensure Lahaina’s long-term interests are protected has made him an indispensable figure in rebuilding Lahaina with its people, culture, and environment at the core.

Connect with Lahaina Strong:

• Website: https://wearelahainastrong.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6793808114003770/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallahainastrong
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LahainaStrong