Hawaiʻi County has launched its official mobile application, Kāhea. The app’s launch comes amid the ongoing Mauna Loa eruption where access to credible information is imperative for the community’s health and safety,” said Mayor Mitch Roth.
Phase 1 of Kāhea has been in production for roughly a year and is focused on five primary initiatives: emergency communications, traffic/roadwork information, transfer station closures and updates, relevant community updates regarding programs, services, etc., and a one-click County Directory.
“We are trying our best to make sure that we do all we can to get important, relevant information directly into the hands of our community,” Roth said. “As we strive for a Hawaiʻi Island where our keiki can thrive and succeed for generations, we believe that access to viable, real-time information needs to be at the foundation.”
The app is not meant to replace existing County communication systems such as Everbridge or Civil Defense’s emergency updates but, instead, to bolster and expand their reach. Residents are still encouraged to sign up for updates from all County departments that offer them. In addition, the County of Hawaiʻi website remains a wealth of information relating to day-to-day County business.
Kāhea will continue its rollout in phases, with Phase 2 expected to debut sometime in late 2023.
The app is currently available on both Apple and Android devices and can be found in their respective app stores. Kāhea is free to download and does not include any advertising.
Phase 1 of the application came at no cost to taxpayers, as the AIO Family of Companies generously donated it. The Hawaiʻi County Council accepted the donation earlier this year.
See the following link for a teaser promotional clip of the application: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0nz1xir5v2osfpy/20221209_Kahea_AppPromo.mp4?dl=0
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