Maui County is working to expand its pool of licensed amateur radio operators before hurricane season, starting with a free public training event at UH Maui College. Ham radio provides a communication backup when phones, cellular, and internet services go down during emergencies.
- Maui County hosted a free all-day ham radio demonstration and licensing event at UH Maui College on June 27 to recruit volunteers ahead of an expected busy hurricane season.
- Amateur radio operators already proved critical during the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires and the March 2025 Kona low storms when standard communications infrastructure failed.
- The event coincided with ARRL Field Day, a national 24-hour emergency communications drill involving more than 31,000 operators across the U.S. and Canada.
- Newcomers can get licensed through Technician exam sessions; costs include a small VE session fee (~$15) and an FCC application fee paid online.
- Maui County’s ARES coordinator is encouraging all ages to get involved, noting even a 9-year-old local operator is studying for his Technician license.
Source: Hoodline
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