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Big Island housing fair aims to help the community heal

Cindy Ellen Russell / crussell@staradvertiser.com

An aerial view of the East Rift Zone during the Kilauea eruption as seen from a helicopter in May.

Hawaii County is holding a housing fair next month for those impacted by the Kilauea eruption.

The fair, “Kukulu Hou – Rebuilding our Community – for Those Who were Affected and Those Who Want to Help,” will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Keaau High School, offering a one-stop shop for lava-affected residents to get information from real estate agents, financial institutions, builders and other private and government entities on housing.

The event will feature sessions on low-interest loans, the building permit process, real estate opportunities, insurance, and other matters. The general public is invited to get information on building or renting affordable housing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be on hand, while the Federal Housing Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will offer presentations on government loan programs.

Eruption survivors will be invited to participate in Share Your Story, a program coordinated by the county’s Office of Housing and Community Development. Stories of survival will be collected and compiled for future reference as the community heals together.

A keiki fun zone and exhibit hall featuring geologists, local builders, real estate agents, financial empowerment experts, and other vendors will also be available. Call Mayor Harry Kim’s office at 961-8211 for further information.

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